Inspiring Startups with Juliet ETEFE: Opportunities in disguise: The story of Gold Fields’ Abdel-Razak Yakubu

Every successful leader carries within their story a turning point, a quiet moment of struggle that later reveals itself as grace.

For Abdel-Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary-Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, those moments came disguised as challenges: a childhood spent navigating two faiths, an early career built on persistence and a life defined by service to community.

Razak smiles when asked to sum up his career. “My career has been a journey of opportunities disguised as challenges,” he says – a line that could serve as his compass.

As Executive Secretary, Razak leads one of the mining sector’s most impactful corporate Foundations, driving education, health and community development projects that have touched thousands of lives across Ghana’s Western Region and beyond.

Today, his journey stands as proof that, sometimes, the paths which seem uncertain lead to our truest purpose.

Early years

Born in Kumasi, Ghana, his early childhood was spent across the border in Togo. “It was the boys with their mum in Togo, the girls with their dad in Ghana,” he recalls, adding that his story begins in a modest family setting filled with love, curiosity and discipline.

He recalls that his father, Mr. Robert Biagya Yakubu, taught him honesty… leading by example. Meanwhile, his mother, Hajiah Selina Yakubu, inspired philanthropy and kindness by running a hospital without profit in Tarkwa.

Starting school in French and picking up Ewe from neighbours, he became bilingual and culturally agile – skills that would later help him navigate diverse communities and stakeholder groups.

Growing up, he was adventurous and determined. Though his early years were occasionally marked by ill-health, they also built in him a deep appreciation for resilience. A severe illness during secondary school (PRESEC Legon) left him hospitalised for more than a month, sitting final exams on crutches.

“My childhood was full of curiosity and quiet lessons. Each experience shaped my understanding of people, of patience and of purpose,” he recalls.

Educational journey and academic drive

Education became his path to self-discovery. From basic school through to university, Razak was driven by a desire to understand not only the technical aspects of life but also the human side and what connects people and moves societies forward.

He earned degrees from both the University of Cape Coast and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), eventually attaining a Master’s degree that broadened his managerial and leadership perspectives.

University life at the University of Cape Coast offered more than academics. Razak became active in student politics – SRC representative, hall president and minority leader in the UCC House of Parliament – honing his debating, organising and people-management skills. These experiences shaped his ability to engage diverse stakeholders in his later career.

His academic ambitions didn’t end there. To deepen his professional grounding, he joined two globally recognised institutions – the Chartered Institute of Management and Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). These affiliations, he says, gave him access to global best practices and sharpened his ability to blend corporate strategy with community realities. “They’ve helped me see development beyond projects and to think about legacy, inclusion and sustainability,” he explains.

Career built on persistence and purpose

Abdel-Razak’s professional journey with Gold Fields Ghana is a study in steady growth and consistency. In 2006, he joined the Tarkwa Gold Mine as a nation service person and was later appointed Community Affairs and Public Relations Officer – a role that allowed him  to combine his passion for communication with his empathy for people.

“That first role wasn’t easy,” he admits. “But it taught me to listen – truly listen – to community voices. My first role wasn’t just about tasks; it was about learning to understand community concerns, manage expectations and build trust. Those early lessons laid the foundation for everything that came after,” he said.

By 2012 his diligence earned him a promotion to Community Affairs Superintendent. The next several years saw him moving through key leadership roles: Community Affairs Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Abosso Gold Mine (2014–2019), Regional Manager for Sustainable Development Projects (2019–2020) and later Community Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement Manager at the Damang Mine until February 2023.

In late 2022, as company restructuring swept the sector, Razak was asked to design a blueprint for the Foundation’s independence. Initially hesitant, he studied best practices, consulted counterparts at other mining companies and drew a structure focused on sustainability.

Two months later, the plan became his responsibility and in January 2023 he was appointed the first Executive Secretary of Gold Fields Ghana Foundation – the company’s social investment arm – responsible for driving sustainable development in host communities. It was both a recognition of his expertise and a call to higher responsibility.

Transforming communities, one initiative at a time

Since taking up the mantle, Abdel-Razak has led the Foundation with a clear vision: to ensure that mining leaves behind more than the minerals of interest. That it leaves opportunity, dignity and hope. Under his leadership and with strong support from Gold Fields, the Foundation has strengthened its core pillars of education, health, water and sanitation, agriculture and infrastructure development.

More than US$3.6million has been invested in youth skills development through initiatives such as the Graduate Training and Community Apprenticeship programmes. These projects have trained hundreds of young people, many of whom have gone on to establish their own businesses with startup tools and NVTI certification.

“Our goal,” he notes, “is not just to train people, but also empower them to stand on their own feet.”

Education remains a cornerstone of the Foundation’s work, with over 2,900 scholarships being awarded to students within Gold Fields’ catchment areas. The Foundation’s scholarship scheme has become a symbol of possibility, enabling children from mining communities to dream beyond geographical limitations.

Health has also been a major focus. Under his guidance, the Foundation has expanded its medical outreach programmes; providing screenings for hypertension, diabetes, malaria and various cancers to over 8,845 people. These interventions often reach those in underserved areas, reaffirming the Foundation’s belief that true development begins with healthy people.

Championing environmental sustainability

Razak’s leadership extends beyond people, it embraces the planet. He has been a vocal advocate for water quality protection and responsible environmental stewardship within mining communities.

He emphasises that while the mines maintain treated water standards, communities also share in the responsibility of safeguarding resources. “Sustainability isn’t the mine’s job alone; it’s everyone’s collective duty,” he says.

In partnership with local authorities, the Foundation has initiated a Plastic Waste Reduction Plan aimed at eliminating plastic waste across host communities by 2028. This forward-looking initiative complements the Foundation’s broader environmental programmes, which include clean water provision and sanitation improvements.

Legacy projects and impact

The Foundation’s work under Abdel-Razak’s leadership has been both visible and transformative. Recent deliverables amounting to several millions of dollars include construction of nurses’ quarters, community centres, maternity ward upgrades and new roads, all designed to meet the everyday needs of host communities.

Since its inception in 2004, the Foundation has invested over US$105million in social and infrastructural projects – marking it as one of the most impactful corporate foundations in Ghana’s mining sector.

Yet for Razak, success is measured less by numbers and more by smiles; the visible change in people’s lives.

“When a child goes to school, when a mother feels safe in a clean hospital ward, when a youth starts a business, that’s when I know we are making real impact,” he says softly.

Leadership, lessons and philosophy

With more than 19 years of experience in community relations and stakeholder engagement, Razak has distilled his career into a few timeless lessons: stay humble, stay curious and stay grounded in purpose.

Razak’s leadership is grounded in honesty and delegation. Early advice to “polish the truth” in public relations was rejected in favour of transparency: “The greatest mistake you can make in community relations is to be dishonest,” he says crediting Madam Paulina Kuranchie for that lesson. He also deliberately trains successors, believing that widening institutional capacity is the key to lasting impact.

He credits his growth to mentors who believed in him and to moments of adversity that revealed hidden strength. His calm, measured tone conceals a deeply reflective thinker – one who sees every setback as a teacher.

“Challenges are opportunities in disguise. They push you to innovate, to become resourceful, and to discover who you really are,” he says with conviction.

Beyond the boardroom

Outside of work, Abdel-Razak’s life reflects his quiet passion for service and community. A past President-Rotary Club of Tarkwa, he continues to support social and philanthropic causes that promote health, education and youth development. His family remains his anchor, offering constant encouragement and grounding him in faith.

“My family keeps me balanced. They remind me of what truly matters,” he says expressing gratitude to his siblings Jamila, Hajiah Maryam and Fareed and wife and children; Christie, Andre and Andrea.

Faith, for him, is not just personal – it’s a guiding light that shapes how he leads and lives. “Grace,” he reflects, “is what carries me through every season.”

Looking ahead

As he looks to the future, Razak is determined to deepen the Foundation’s impact by expanding partnerships, enhancing sustainability and creating opportunities that outlive mining itself. His vision is clear: to transform host communities into thriving, self-reliant hubs of growth.

“Development shouldn’t depend on the mine forever. “We’re building systems and skills that will sustain generations,” he explains.

Through his journey, one truth stands out – that leadership is not defined by titles but the lives one touches. From his early days in Tarkwa to his current role in shaping Gold Fields’ legacy of shared value, Mr. Abdel-Razak Yakubu’s story is that of a man who turned challenges into stepping-stones and opportunities once in disguise into lasting impact.

Post-retirement

Beyond mining, Razak dreams of lighter pursuits. He hopes to retire early, run a restaurant and host comedy nights – combining his love for cooking and humour. Ambitious yet grounded, he also aims for a strategic social performance role before stepping down – ensuring he leaves a strong legacy both professionally and personally.

The post Inspiring Startups with Juliet ETEFE: Opportunities in disguise: The story of Gold Fields’ Abdel-Razak Yakubu appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

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