Abosso Goldfields Limited (AGL) ‘Damang Mine’ as part of its Employee Volunteerism Programme has schooled over 1,400 Basic Education Certificates Examination (BECE) candidates ahead of the examination which commenced on Monday.
They were taken through the basic rules in writing examination, answer booklet among others.
The Employee Volunteerism Programme which started in 2012, allows employees to contribute their time, resources and expertise to a community service initiative during working hours.
“The focus of this year’s event is to motivate and prepare them psychologically for the heavy task ahead.
It is important for parents and professionals like us, to constantly be available for these young ones as we serve as role models to them” Charles Kofi Nti, Operations Manager of AGL has said.
He stated that Gold Fields believes that promoting and enhancing human capital through education and skill development are vital to the sustainable development of the communities that host mining operations.
“To walk the talk, Gold Fields through its Foundation has invested over US$4.8m in providing access to quality education in its host communities since 2002.
These investments, have gone mostly into supporting student education through the payment of school fees, hostel/accommodation fees, provision of teaching and learning materials and teacher support programmes among others” he mentioned.
Mr. Nti continued that others, include training host community youths in various trade skills such as welding and fabrication, auto-electricals, auto-mechanic, operating heavy mine equipment among others.
He said through these human resource development initiatives, over 748 host community students have benefitted from the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation Scholarship Scheme. For the skill development sector, over 230 youths have benefited.
“These are life changing opportunities and a sure way of ensuring a sustainable livelihood empowerment.
Contributing to the development of our host communities, Gold Fields over the past decade introduced the “Employee Volunteerism Programme” where employees of the mine volunteer their working hours to help address societal issues”.
According to him, employees have in the past helped in the painting of schools including, the Subri DA Basic school and also provided books to the schools’ library.
At Nana Amoakwa Model School (NAMS), employees dedicated their working hours to teach students in accordance to the GES curriculum among others.
“To our candidates, I say, harbor no fear and be confident of your success in this examination” he added.
Encouragement for candidates
Fredrick Kwame Forson, Wassa East Director of Examination urged the candidates to enter the examination hall with positive mind set.
“Do not use pencil that has been prayed over by any pastor to shade, WAEC will give you pencil for the objectives which will be determined by a machine during marking” he said.
He urged them to enter the examination hall 30 minutes before the time. “Under no circumstance should a candidate enter the exams hall with a mobile phone or put on a wrist watch; if you are caught, all your papers will be cancelled”.
Also, he mentioned that the candidates should go to the examination hall with their NHIS card and not mobile phones. “In the event that you are sick, you will be sent to the hospital with your NHIS card;”.
Abdel Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary of Gold Fields Ghana Foundation advised them to have the confidence that they will be able to answer all the questions.
“Create schedule for revision and not for learning, exams week should not be for all night service. Take short break when learning and get enough rest” he added
Mrs. Florence Ansere- Bioh, Community Affairs Manager of Tarkwa and Damang Mine also encouraged them to enter the examination hall with boldness.
Samuel Hadjor, Mine Manager of Damang Mine also encouraged them to have confidence when writing the exams.
“I am expecting to see a lot of distinction and have positive mind set” he added.
Prestea Huni Valley Director of Education advised that “once you get the questions, read and get the understanding before answering them”
Eric Doe Ackuayi, Snr. Community Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement Officer at Damang Mine also counseled the candidates to take every fear within them. “Take your time in answering all the questions”
He told the B&FT that “we will take some time to calculate the hours that we spent here and draw the equivalent that the hours we spent here, how much will it cost the mine. This will let us know the investment that we have made in the lives of these young one’s” he added.
Basic tools such as mathematic set, rulers, pens among others were given to the candidates in writing their examination.
