The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) has awarded scholarships to its second cohort of beneficiaries comprising 45 female students enrolled in both undergraduate and postgraduate engineering programmes at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT). The awards took place during the MIIF-WoMCoM Scholarship Awards ceremony held on Tuesday, 16th September 2025 at the University. This ceremony marked a significant milestone towards promoting gender equity and enhancing women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
The Women in Mining Communities (WoMCoM) Scholarship Scheme, launched in June 2024, is part of MIIF’s corporate social responsibility strategy aimed at supporting academically brilliant but financially disadvantaged young women from Ghana’s mining communities. The scholarships cover tuition, accommodation, research support, and stipends. Each undergraduate student receives GH¢10,000 annually, while postgraduate students receive GH¢15,000.
The Special Guest of Honour, Honourable Issah Taylor, Member of Parliament for the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality lauded MIIF for its commitment to girl-child education through the Women from Mining Communities (WoMCoM) Scholarship Scheme describing the initiative as a bold step toward addressing gender disparities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
According to Hon Taylor, by converting mineral wealth into human capital, MIIF is planting seeds of transformation that will outlast the mines. He stressed that investing in women’s education is not charity but a strategic investment that benefits families, improves health outcomes, and strengthens communities.
Hon Taylor urged the beneficiaries to excel beyond academics by aspiring to leadership roles in engineering, research, and policy. Citing Dr. James Kwegyir Aggrey’s maxim, “If you educate a woman, you educate a nation,” he reminded the awardees that their success carries a collective impact on future generations.
Hon Taylor also called on mining companies, civil society, and local leaders to support and scale up the initiative, pledging his own continued advocacy for policies that promote gender equity, youth empowerment, and fair distribution of mining benefits.
Honourable Yakubu Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South-East who delivered the address on behalf of the MIIF CEO, emphasised the Fund’s commitment to creating opportunities for women in mining areas through the scholarship to lift burdens, raise aspirations and change the narrative of young women in mining communities. He announced plans to expand the programme to other Universities in Ghana to reach a wider pool of beneficiaries.
Hon Mohammed urged other companies to partner with MIIF to sustain and scale up the scheme stating that the future of Ghana’s mining sector depends not only on technology and resources, but the talents nurtured today.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Richard K. Amankwah, praised the initiative as timely in addressing a major challenge faced by many students in the University noting that many times brilliant students defer their programmes due to financial difficulties and that the support by MIIF will boost these beneficiaries to complete their studies with confidence and contribute meaningfully to society.
He also highlighted MIIF’s broader support to the university, including the MIIF Distinguished Speaker Series and the ongoing construction of the MIIF Technical Training Centre at UMaT. He stated that the facility will house a jewellery-making and metalsmithing workshop as well as a hallmarking centre to test the quality of precious metals to promote innovation and value addition in Ghana’s mining sector.
The Chairperson of the WoMCoM Steering Committee, Mrs Theresa Gyasi-Antwi, described the scholarships as an investment in the future for mining communities and industry. She revealed that the initiative has already boosted student retention and academic performance at UMaT.
Present at the ceremony were Nananom and Paramount Queen Mothers of the Apinto and Wassa Fiase Divisional Councils, the Municipal Director of Ghana Education Service (TNMA), representatives from Women in Mining (WIM), OmniBSIC Bank, Access bank, Zenith Bank, First Atlantic Bank, First Bank, Procus Ghana Limited, staff and students of the University.
