MIIF Awards Full Scholarships to 45 Female Students Under WoMCoM Programme

A cross-section of some of the MIIF WoMCoM scholarship awardees.

The Minerals Income Investment Fund (‘MIIF’ or the ‘Fund’) has awarded full scholarships to 45 female students at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa under its flagship Women from Mining Communities (WoMCoM) scholarship scheme.

The outstanding students selected for the 2024/2025 academic year and represent the breadth and diversity of Ghana’s mining communities are: Songmani Matilda, Agyemang Prempeh Freda, Appiah Faustina, Enchill Amanda, Twum Priscilla, Cudjoe Francisca, Senyo Sharon Eyram, Zoryiku Yayra Awusi, Wilson Victoria Kwemtsiwa, Datsa Gina Kadita, Amoah Nana Adjoa Ajoboah Kente, and Apogu Deborah.

Others are: Essuman Eunice, Asmah Benedicta, Attiapah Korkor, Arhin Ewuradwoa, Adjei Afua Adjeiwaa, Appiah-Acheampong Afia Wiredu, Ayeboafo Jewellna Afua, Gyamfi Priscilla, Tetteh Comfort, Abubakar Sadiq Rumaina, Ofori Sandra Amoako, Danso Afua Dansowaa Nyamekye Abiam Baah, Danquah Maame Afrah, Essuman Jehovia Akua, Mba Portia Delyen, and Cudjoe Renata Amposah.

The rest are: Mensah Nora Esi, Tanko Ramatu, Ackom Gabrialla Akosua Ampomaa, Samevi Ellinam Laurel, Maalinuba Marly Monique, Aboagye Irene Ntiamoah, Darko Gertrude Ohene, Akuoko-Sarpong Maureen, Gyasi Matilda Adwoa Oppong, Dantsil Christiana Efua, Ankomah Eunice, Shiabu Nafisa, Azuponga Sonia, Buah Ellen Nana Badu, Ntim Akosua Kyerewaa Akenteng.

Ataa Antwiwaa Junior, Ketteh Jochebed were the only students selected for for the post-graduate category.

CSR project

The scheme which falls under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) project of MIIF, demonstrates the Fund’s commitment to empowering young women from Ghana’s mining communities.

Programme Overview

The WoMCoM scholarship programme represents a cornerstone of MIIF’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, specifically designed to support brilliant young women from mining communities across Ghana in pursuing education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and mining-related disciplines.

Since its launch in May 2024, the programme has attracted significant interest, receiving over 100 applications from undergraduate and postgraduate students across Ghana’s mining communities. Through a comprehensive and rigorous screening process, 45 exceptional students—comprising 43 undergraduates and 2 postgraduates—were selected based on academic merit and programme eligibility criteria.

Selection Process and Governance

To ensure the highest standards of transparency and fairness, MIIF established a five-member Steering Committee comprising four MIIF representatives and two representatives from UMaT. The committee conducted an exhaustive and impartial selection process, resulting in a truly national representation of beneficiaries spanning 16 mining districts across 8 regions in Ghana.

Academic Focus and Eligible Programmes

The scholarship exclusively supports female students enrolled in STEM and STEM-related programmes at UMaT, including:

– Chemical Engineering

– Computer Science and Engineering

– Cyber Security

– Electrical and Electronics Engineering

– Environmental and Safety Engineering

– Geological Engineering

– Land Administration and Information Systems

– Mechanical Engineering

– Minerals Engineering

– Mining Engineering

– Petroleum Geosciences and Engineering

Financial Investment and Impact

The MIIF-WoMCoM scholarship package, valued at GHS460,000, comprising GHS10,000 for undergraduate and GHS15,000 for post-graduates students, provides comprehensive coverage of major academic expenses including tuition, accommodation, and essential fees. This substantial financial investment is expected to significantly alleviate the economic burden on students and their families, enabling these talented young women to focus entirely on their academic pursuits.

Looking Ahead

Consequently, a formal award ceremony is scheduled for later in the year to officially confer the scholarships and prepare the recipients for the upcoming 2025/2026 academic year.

This ceremony will serve as both a celebration of these remarkable young women’s achievements and a launch pad for their continued academic excellence.

The WoMCoM programme aligns with MIIF’s broader mission to promote gender equity in STEM fields by removing financial barriers and encouraging greater participation of women from Ghana’s mining communities in engineering, science, and technology careers.

As the programme continues to evolve, MIIF anticipates expanding both its impact and scale in the coming years.

About MIIF

The Minerals Income Investment Fund (‘MIIF’ or the ‘Fund’) is committed to transforming Ghana’s mineral wealth into sustainable development opportunities for all citizens, with particular emphasis on communities directly impacted by mining activities.

Through initiatives like the WoMCoM scholarship programme, MIIF continues to demonstrate its dedication to fostering inclusive growth and empowering the next generation of leaders in Ghana’s extractive sector.