Gold Fields Ghana Foundation Leads in Sustainability & Social Investments; Sweeps 8 Honours at 2025 SSI Awards
Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has been adjudged the country’s foremost institution in sustainability and social investment, securing eight awards at the 9th Sustainability & Social Investment (SSI) Awards held on Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.
The Foundation, which drives development across education, health, water and sanitation, agriculture and infrastructure within its host communities, reaffirmed its leadership with a strong showing in multiple categories. Its accolades included the coveted Sustainability & Social Investment Foundation/Company of the Year – the event’s ultimate award.
List of Awards Won
- Sustainability & Social Investment (SSI) Foundation/Company of the Year – Ultimate Award
- Sustainability & Social Investment (SSI) Team of the Year
- Best Company in Supporting Sports Development – TNA Stadium Project
- Best Company in Supporting Health Facilities – Group Legacy Programme in Health
- Best Company in Clean Water Provision – Small Town Water Systems in Badukrom, Huniso, Akoon and Fiaseman SHS
- Best Health Awareness Programme – Community Medical Outreach
- Best Company in Supporting Education – Scholarship Programme
- Personality Award (Sustainability Professional of the Year) – Abdel Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary of Gold Fields Ghana Foundation
Speaking exclusively to NorvanReports shortly after receiving the honours, Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Abdel Razak Yakubu, described the recognition as an important motivation for the Foundation’s ongoing work.
“You know, we do not do these social programmes for recognition. We do them for our social licence and because there is a need in the communities, so for an institution to recognise what we are doing and call us here to receive awards for doing them is a shot in the arm and an encouragement. It affirms that we are doing something right, and we are quite happy to be here and excited to receive these awards,” he stated.
Progress on ESG Commitments
Gold Fields has outlined ambitious Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets to be achieved by 2030. These align with three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 3: Good health and well-being
- SDG 5: Gender equality (targeting 30% female representation)
- SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation (targeting 80% water recycling and 45% reduction in freshwater usage)
The mining firm is also working toward reducing its carbon emissions: 30% for Scope 1, 50% for Scope 2 and 10% for Scope 3 by 2030.
According to Mr Yakubu, these commitments were informed by extensive baseline studies to ensure the company adopts realistic and achievable goals.
He highlighted deliberate efforts to improve gender representation in the company through targeted scholarship schemes, STEM-focused development for young women, and structured graduate training programmes embedded within the company’s operations. “We are so close to achieving the 30% by 2030,” he noted, adding that medium- and long-term projections extend to 2035 to ensure sustained progress.
On water usage, he pointed to high recycling efficiency at the company’s Western Region operations, complemented by community-focused water infrastructure. The Foundation, he noted, has installed more than 100 boreholes across host communities and supported towns such as New Atuabo with mechanised water systems that have since been scaled sustainably by local management teams.
In the area of healthcare, Mr Yakubu highlighted employee well-being systems, compulsory medical reviews, wellness activities, and recent collaboration with US-based Project Cure to supply more than US$790,000 worth of medical equipment to community health facilities.
Strengthening Governance and Supply Chain ESG Compliance
Commenting on environmental impact mitigation, Mr Yakubu underscored the role of governance structures at all levels of the business. Gold Fields, he explained, embeds ESG responsibilities from the boardroom to operational officers, ensuring environmental and social considerations are integrated into decision-making.
He added that contractors and suppliers are required to demonstrate strong ESG policies and performance before entering any agreement with the company – part of efforts to address Scope 3 emissions and uphold responsible sourcing.
Outlook for 2026: Safety, Culture and Production Efficiency
Touching on the firm’s priorities for 2026, Mr Yakubu emphasised that safety remains the overarching priority, backed by significant investments in technology, including systems that monitor pit stability, geotechnical risks and operator fatigue.
“If we can’t mine safely, we won’t mine,” he stated, noting expectations of improved safety indicators next year.
He disclosed that production targets for 2026 will largely depend on the ability of business partners, particularly contractors, to increase volumes amid challenges posed by low-grade ore. The company will also continue to embed its corporate culture, emphasising honesty, integrity, respect and high performance across the workforce.
A Pioneer in Community Development
Gold Fields Ghana established its Community Development Fund in 2002, which evolved into the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation in 2004 – the first of its kind by a mining company in Ghana. The Foundation has since provided structured support across education, health, water and sanitation, agriculture and infrastructure within the Tarkwa and Damang host communities.
About the SSI Awards
The Sustainability & Social Investment Awards remain Ghana’s leading platform for recognising excellence in Sustainability, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The 2025 edition, held under the theme “Sustainable Growth for All: Balancing Economic Progress, Social Equity and Environmental Stewardship,” aimed to highlight development models that achieve economic progress while ensuring social inclusion and environmental protection.
With eight awards to its name this year, Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has once again demonstrated its strong footprint in sustainable development and community impact.
