Accra, April 13, GNA – The Forum for African Women Educationists (FAWE) Ghana and Mastercard Foundation have partnered to roll out a programme to equip marginalised and disadvantaged students with the foundation to pursue STEM courses at the university level.
The seven-year programme has the target of reaching 1,100 participants.
FAWE Ghana has also partnered with selected TVET institutions across the country to offer scholarships to 600 students over the next three years.
The first cohort of 200 participants have already been enrolled in TVET institutions, including the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development; Dr Hilla Limann Technical University; and the Bolgatanga, Cape Coast, Ho, and Takoradi Technical Universities.
The second and third cohorts are expected to be recruited in the 2025/2026 and the 2026/2027 academic years respectively.
Addressing a press conference in Accra, Madam Anna Nabere, Programme Manager, FAWE Ghana, said Phase Two of the Mastercard Foundation Programme would implement a one-year certificate programme to enable marginalised and disadvantaged students pursue STEM courses at the university level.
She said the programme would target 500 young people with keen focus on female and persons with disability in seven programme regions – North East, Northern, Oti, Savannah, Volta, Upper East, and Upper West.
“Under Phase II of the programme, we seek to expand educational opportunities, enhance leadership skills, and improve employability of young women and men,” she said.
Mr Richard Amoani, National Coordinator, FAWE Ghana, said higher education remained inaccessible to many bright students particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
He said FAWE Ghana in collaboration with its partners would continuously work to address existing barriers and achieve parity in access to education especially in marginalised communities.
Mr Amoani said, as part of the scholarships offered in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, each participant would be given a laptop and a capital to start their business upon completion of their programme.
Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy, a Member of FAWE Ghana, urged the media to move beyond reporting and be activists in the quest to seek parity in access to education on the continent.
“Bring issues inimical to girls to the limelight,” she said.
Established in June 1993, FAWE Ghana, the Ghana chapter of the Forum for African Women Educationalists, is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting girls’ and women’s education in Ghana.
It operates as a membership-based organisation, working with various stakeholders like communities, schools, civil society, and ministries to achieve gender equity and equality in education.
GNA