The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Ghana Chapter, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has awarded scholarships to 45 brilliant, needy students of the Dr Hilla Limann Technical University (DHLTU) in Wa.
The beneficiaries formed part of the first cohort of the FAWE Ghana-Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Programme, which awarded a total of 200 scholarships to students pursuing Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related programmes from six technical universities.
The scholarship is a regional initiative embarked on by FAWE and Mastercard Foundation to bridge the gap in access to quality tertiary education, especially for bright but economically disadvantaged young people in 10 African countries.
The other participating countries are Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, The Gambia and Zimbabwe.
Presentation
At a ceremony to present award letters to the beneficiaries in Wa, the Programme Manager for FAWE Ghana, Anna Nongnedome Nabere, said that though the programme was targeted at both male and female students, 80 per cent of the beneficiaries were females.
The objective, she said, was for the beneficiaries to rise above systemic barriers to become leaders and change makers in their communities.
She said the awardees were selected through a rigorous process and were from diverse backgrounds from seven regions in the country.
The regions are Upper West, Upper East, Northern, Savannah, North East, Oti and Volta and five to 15 per cent of the scholarship is for Persons With Disability (PWDs).
Package
She said the package included a full tuition fee and accommodation, a laptop and learning materials, a monthly stipend and health insurance to ensure that the students are well taken care of when sick.
The scholarship scheme will also provide leadership training, life skill development, academic and psycho-social support, “because we are looking at churning out these students to be the next regional ministers, president and even the vice chancellors.
“This support system is designed not just to remove financial burden but to nurture each scholar from the ground up into a confident, compassionate and capable leader,” she said.
Ms Nabere advised the awardees to make good use of the support to excel in their academic pursuit and become role models to others.
“Let your journey pave the way for others to follow.”
“This scholarship is not just a reward; it is a boost of confidence, an investment in your potential. We do not select failures, we select people with potential, people who qualify.
“We selected you based on the fact that you had the requirements to enter DHLTU but needed a push...embrace this opportunity with humility.
Guard yourselves against all vices and have a deep sense of responsibility. You are not only a beneficiary, you are the torch bearers, the future leaders,” she added.
Appreciation
The Vice Chancellor of Dr Hilla Limann Technical University, Professor Hamida Dramani, commended FAWE for the initiative to provide opportunities to deserving students to pursue their aspirations and to contribute their quota to national development.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, she thanked FAWE for the support and was hopeful that they would excel in their respective fields of innovation in the near future.
She urged parents to continue providing physical and emotional support to help the children reach their full potential.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, extended government’s appreciation to FAWE and the Mastercard Foundation for their impactful initiative.
He said the scholarship represented a beacon of opportunity and hope for brilliant, needy young people.
