Gold Fields Ghana Empowers Local Communities
The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation is significantly impacting the lives of residents in its host communities of Tarkwa and Damang through strategic investments in enterprise development.
These initiatives are geared towards fostering self-sufficiency among young people and building long-term economic resilience in the areas surrounding the mines.
A key programme is the Youth in Horticulture Production (YouHoP), launched in May 2016 and extended to 2022 after its initial completion date of 2019. Implemented in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), YouHoP provided training to vegetable farmers in crucial areas like nursery management, transplanting, pest and disease control, and marketing techniques.
Farmers participating in YouHoP cultivated a variety of crops, including cucumber, cabbage, green pepper, lettuce, and spring onions. Notably, 60 farmers achieved Green Label Certification in 2020, demonstrating adherence to stringent safety and hygiene standards.
The programme directly improved the livelihoods of 662 farmers, with 244 of those being women, and also benefited others involved in the agricultural value chain. Participants also gained access to soft loans through the Promprom Credit Union, and 258 were enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), providing a safety net alongside economic empowerment.
In 2018, the Foundation introduced the Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme in Damang, which has yielded positive results. Farmers receive COCOBOD-approved fertilisers, agrochemicals, and equipment, alongside training on their safe and effective use.
The programme operates on a rotational basis, with 120 new farmers joining annually and benefiting for three years, ensuring wider participation. To date, 600 farmers cultivating 1,200 acres have benefited, reporting a 77 per cent increase in cocoa yields and over 40 per cent income growth.
Following its success in Damang, the Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme was extended to Tarkwa in 2025, aiming to support at least 300 farmers over five years.
The Community Oil Palm Production (COPP) programme, launched in 2022 in Tarkwa, is another impactful initiative. It supports local oil palm farmers by providing high-yielding Tenera seedlings, fertilisers, and other essential inputs to 444 farmers, each cultivating at least three acres.
To ensure a sustainable supply of seedlings, the Foundation helped establish ECOPALMS-GH, a community-owned nursery employing 18 people – 15 of whom are women. This venture is driving inclusive economic growth.
ECOPALMS-GH, with support from the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly’s Business Advisory Centre, has also successfully diversified its market, ensuring its long-term viability beyond the COPP programme.
The Promprom Co-operative Credit Union, established in 2017, complements these agricultural initiatives by promoting financial inclusion. Serving over 20 communities with branches in Tarkwa, Huni Valley, and Damang, the credit union has over 6,300 customers and has disbursed GHS 6 million in loans to more than 265 members, including farmers, artisans, teachers, and small business owners.
The credit union has provided financial support to businesses like Vision View International School, Future Intellectual Academy, JUMEKUF Enterprise, Man’s Lodge Hotel and EuniAbu Enterprise. It has also created 13 jobs within the host communities and supports social programmes like inter-school sports and annual festivals.
Through these combined efforts, the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation demonstrates a strong commitment to empowering communities, fostering economic independence, and ensuring sustainable development in Tarkwa, Damang, and beyond.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
