By Michael Foli Jackidy
Dzodze (V/R), March 23, GNA – The second cohort of 400 students under the Ketu North Scholars Award, an initiative of the Edem Agbana Scholarship Scheme, has received scholarships at a ceremony held in Dzodze.
The beneficiaries, drawn from public universities across the country, include 35 female students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes, reflecting efforts to promote gender inclusion in critical fields.
Mr Eric Edem Agbana, Member of Parliament of Ketu North and Founder of the scheme, said the initiative was driven by a commitment to ensure that no young person in the constituency was denied higher education due to financial constraints.
He noted that the programme, which awarded scholarships to 421 students in its maiden edition, had already begun to yield positive results, including improved academic performance and increased confidence among beneficiaries.
“This initiative is not just a programme; it is a movement. It is about empowering Ketu North through access to higher education and building a future driven by knowledge and opportunity,” he stated.
Mr Agbana encouraged the students to take their studies seriously, describing the scholarship as a “baton” in a relay that must be carried forward to benefit future generations.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), described the initiative as a visionary and people-centred intervention capable of transforming lives and communities.
He noted that access to education remained a major barrier for many talented young Ghanaians, stressing that the scholarship scheme was helping to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.
“This is not just an award ceremony; it is a defining moment in the lives of hundreds of young people. We are not merely giving scholarships—we are breaking barriers, unlocking futures, and investing in the next generation of leaders,” he said.
Mr Dwumfour emphasised that consistent investment in education had a ripple effect, producing professionals who would, in turn, contribute to national development and uplift others.
Addressing the beneficiaries, he urged them to view the scholarship as a responsibility to excel academically and give back to society.
“You are not just beneficiaries; you are custodians of hope. Study diligently, lead with integrity, and remember to support others when your time comes,” he added.
Madam Joan Selasie Ahiawordor, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), also commended the initiative, describing it as a strategic investment in the human capital of the constituency.
She challenged female beneficiaries to excel and take up leadership roles in the future, pledging to fully sponsor the education of any female student who emerges as the overall best in the cohort.
Professor Paul Dela Ahiatroga, Board Chairman of the Ketu North Scholars Scheme, said the awards celebrated not only academic excellence but also perseverance and discipline.
He urged the students to embody the values of honesty, opportunity, perseverance, and enterprise, adding that the scholarship should inspire them to aim higher.
Some beneficiaries who spoke to the Ghana News Agency expressed gratitude to the organisers and donors, noting that the support had eased the financial burden on their families and allowed them to focus on their studies.
The ceremony was attended by Members of Parliament, government officials, traditional leaders, party executives, assembly members, parents, and members of the public, who all commended the initiative for its impact on education and youth development in Ketu North.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Linda Asante Agyei