By Agbaxode Emmanuel
Akatsi (V/R), Dec. 22, GNA – Mr Thomas Yao Atidefe, Founder of the Atidefe Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has sponsored five brilliant but needy students newly admitted to tertiary institutions.
The gesture, according to Mr Atidefe, a former Presiding Member of the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly, is to ensure that the beneficiaries gain access to university education without financial constraints.
Mr Atidefe disclosed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the sponsorship was part of his vision-driven flagship programme dubbed “Education for the Needy.”
“This is one of my developmental projects, and over the years, I have supported students with excellent academic performance but who lack the financial means to pursue tertiary education,” he said.
He indicated that through the Foundation’s benevolence, some past beneficiaries had gone on to become prominent personalities both locally and internationally.
“Since 2014, a total of eleven brilliant but needy students have benefited from this humanitarian initiative,” he noted.
Mr Atidefe said many young people had the zeal and willingness to excel academically and socially but required counselling, guidance and financial support to achieve their full potential.
He pledged to continue paying the full tuition fees of the beneficiaries until they completed their respective programmes.
Mr Atidefe added that after purchasing admission application forms for the five students, all had gained admission to the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), and the University of Ghana, Legon.
The beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation to Mr Atidefe for the philanthropic gesture.
“We believe this act of benevolence will uplift and transform our lives for a better future. We promise to study hard to achieve our academic goals to the glory of God,” the students said in a statement.
Mr Atidefe, who is also the current Assembly Member for the Torve Electoral Area, has been described by residents as a hardworking son of Akatsi South with a vision to promote development across key sectors of the Municipality.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu