The Chirano Gold Mine Limited (CGML), a subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation, has presented seven thousand mathematical sets to candidates sitting for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in their catchment areas.
The gesture, which among others affirms the Mine’s commitment to improving on the quality of education of communities in the catchment area, was offered to candidates in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai and Sefwi Wiawso Municipalities.
The Head of Human Resources, Ghana Education Service (GES) at Sefwi Wiawso, Mercy Danso Amoah, said Chirano Mines has demonstrated that it is ready to help develop education in the district.
She acknowledged the construction of nine schools, five ICT centers, teachers’ bungalow and science laboratories, all done by Chirano Mines over the period.
Mrs. Danso Amoah made these remarks when officials of Chirano Gold Mines donated mathematical sets to all BECE candidates in the two Municipalities.
The local education officials indicated that Chirano has exhibited exceptional support in the form of infrastructure provision, free tuition, provision of stationery among others, to encourage teaching and learning in the localities.
The Human Resource and Community Relations Manager of Chirano Gold Mines, Thomas Nyarko-Danquah, at the presentation of the items, said the Mine prioritizes investment in education.
He said it is their firm belief one of the tools to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of residents in the catchment areas is the provision of quality education.
He is hopeful that the provision the mathematical sets and other support provided to the candidates throughout their 3-year JHS education will inspire and motivate them to be successful in the impending exams.
A teacher at Etwebo JHS Daniel Mensah, one of the beneficiary schools, said the provision of the mathematical sets has lifted a burden off many parents who are unable to afford stationery for their wards.
He noted that some of these students come from very poor homes, and there have been times where the teachers have had to buy mathematical sets for the students to be able to write BECE.
Earlier in the week, Chirano Gold Mines organized a mentorship session for the BECE
candidates. About 400 candidates from the immediate catchment area and divided into groups and mentored by employees who hail from their communities.
The Deputy Director in Charge of Monitoring and Evaluation, GES at Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Mr. Obeng Nyamekye, said the program was a major boost to the morale of the candidates.
He said speaking to successful people in the Mine, who had humble beginnings from their own communities, taught them that no matter how little they have started, they can succeed by taking their education seriously to progress in life.
