Investing in minds, building futures: How Newmont’s Education Partnerships are shaping Ghana’s future workforce

EDUCATION remains one of the most powerful drivers of national development, and for Newmont, it is a deliberate and long-term investment in Ghana’s future. Through strategic partnerships spanning basic education to tertiary institutions, Newmont is helping to build a skilled, innovative, and future-ready workforce capable of supporting Ghana’s industrial and economic growth.

At the heart of this effort, Newmont believes that sustainable development begins with people. By strengthening educational systems, aligning academic training with industry needs, and expanding access to digital and technical skills, Newmont is contributing to the creation of resilient talent pipelines for Ghana’s mining sector and beyond.

According to Danquah Addo-Yobo, Country Manager for the company’s Ghana operations, Newmont’s education investments are intentionally designed to deliver long-term value.

“Our focus is not just on supporting education today, but on building the skills, confidence, and capabilities that will prepare young people for the future. When we invest in education, we are investing in people who will drive innovation, strengthen industries, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.

Early impact through AI Smart Labs

One of Newmont’s flagship education initiatives is its partnership with the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, under a three-year collaboration agreement signed in 2023 to establish six Artificial Intelligence (AI) Smart Laboratories (Labs) in under-resourced communities.

The AI Smart Labs are designed to promote digital literacy, coding, robotics, and problem-solving among young learners in these communities. Each lab is equipped with modern digital tools and learning resources, with programme delivery supported by Coral Reef Innovation Africa, an innovation-focused implementing partner.

The partnership is already yielding tangible results. Students from the Kona District Assembly (D/A) Primary and JHS, one of the beneficiaries of the labs, emerged winners in the Techs League category of the 2025 Ghana Robotics Competition, while students from Wioso St. Peter’s JHS placed fifth at the 2024 edition of the competition. These achievements highlight the impact of early exposure to technology and hands-on learning in shaping future-ready skills.

As of December 2025, four of six planned AI Smart Labs had been commissioned in Kona, Wioso, Toase, and Sankore. Two more are expected to be completed in 2026, further extending access to digital education across underserved communities.

Aligning universities with industry needs

Beyond basic education, Newmont has formalised long-standing partnerships with the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to strengthen Ghana’s technical and professional talent base.

These collaborations focus on curriculum development, capacity building, technical skills training, and structured student development programmes. Through national service placements, graduate talent initiatives, and collaborative research, students gain practical industry exposure while universities benefit from industry-aligned insights.

Through its partnership with UMaT, Newmont supports certified apprenticeship and learnership programmes in mechanical, minerals, and electrical disciplines, creating pathways for youth in host communities to advance to tertiary education.

A key element of the UMaT partnership is Newmont’s annual recognition of the best-performing female engineering student, reinforcing the company’s commitment to inclusion and diversity within technical fields.

At KNUST, the company has provided digital learning resources to support engineering education.

Education as a strategic investment

These initiatives form part of Newmont’s national corporate social responsibility strategy, which positions education as a cornerstone of long-term economic development. Rather than isolated interventions, Newmont’s approach focuses on partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes and sustainable workforce development.

From AI-enabled facilities to structured university partnerships that align education with industry needs, Newmont’s investments are helping to equip the next generation with the skills required to compete in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

As Ghana continues to strengthen its human capital, Newmont remains committed to partnering with educational institutions and communities to create opportunity, foster innovation, and deliver shared value.

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