By Dennis Peprah
Nante, (Bono East), Oct. 20, GNA – Dr Isaac Adeabsah, the Chief Executive Officer of the GRATIS Foundation has presented GH¢30,000 cash to some first-year students who have gained admission to Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the Kintampo South District of the Bono East Region.
The cash will provide financial aid to the 60 beneficiaries, all natives of Nante, the hometown of the donor, to procure their prospectus, as they began their secondary school education.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of a short presentation ceremony held at Nante, a farming community, near Jaman, the District capital, Dr Adeabsah said the gesture was his personal contribution to give back to society.
“This is the community which birth and nurture me and I have to also give back in supporting the proper upbringing and development of the school children,” he stated, saying he was highly optimistic that the gesture would in a way lessen the financial burdens of the families.
Dr Adeabsah noted that quality education remained the surest legacy families could bequeath their children and wards and urged parents to channel much of their resources into the education of their children.
“In fact, cash is to inspire the students to pursue their education with confidence and determination, despite the challenges that come with their geographical location,” he stated.
Dr Adeabsah shared his life experiences and asked teachers and the community members to help unearth and build on the talents of the younger people, saying “my personal experience in life is a proof of the limitless potential of every child, regardless of his or her socio-economic and geographical background”.
“I did not allow my rural background to limit achieving my dream and aspirations. In fact, I was born and raised here. I sat under the same trees and walked on the same dusty roads to school every day.
However, that condition did not discourage me because I made a conscious effort to achieve my dreams,” he recounted and advised the students to aim higher by remaining disciplined and concentrating on their books.
Dr Adeabsah emphasised that education remained the most powerful equalizer, saying “if I can come from this same village and work my way through multiple academic disciplines, you can also do so”.
He advised the students that it was only when they remained disciplined, focused, and resilient that they could achieve their dreams.
Dr Adeabsah reaffirmed his dedication to promoting education and youth empowerment in the area by ensuring that the educational needs of the deserving students were met to enable them to learn.
Some families of the beneficiaries also took turns to express their heartfelt gratitude to the donor for the gesture.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei