Bui Power Authority supports students with scholarships
Twenty-seven brilliant, needy students from the project-affected communities of the Bui Power Authority (BPA) have been awarded scholarships to pursue Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Information Technology programmes in the country's tertiary institutions.
The latest batch brings the total number of students supported under the scheme since 2019 to 111, with 94 currently benefiting and 17 having graduated in various disciplines.
For many of the beneficiaries, the initiative has lifted the burden of unpaid fees, accommodation challenges and financial uncertainty, giving them renewed hope of pursuing tertiary education instead of dropping out of school.
Inclusive development
At the ceremony at Bui on Wednesday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bui Power Authority, Kow Eduakwa Sam, in a speech read on his behalf, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to inclusive development and socio-economic empowerment through education.
He said the Authority remained committed to supporting brilliant, needy students within its stakeholder communities to pursue higher education and achieve their aspirations.
“With the addition of the current 27 beneficiaries, the total number of students supported under the programme now stands at 111, with 94 currently benefitting under the scheme and 17 having successfully graduated, reflecting the positive impact of the intervention,” he said.
Quality education
The scheme, which operates under the slogan, “Transforming lives through education,” was established as part of the Authority’s corporate social responsibility initiatives to promote quality education, human capital development and sustainable community empowerment.
To qualify, applicants must be brilliant,needy students from the four traditional areas of Banda, Bole, Jama and North Mo with aggregate 25 or better in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or its equivalent.
The programme has also provided beneficiaries with internship and national service opportunities within the Authority.
Scheme expansion
Mr Eduakwa said although the programme initially targeted communities resettled by the Bui Hydroelectric Project, it had now been expanded to cover the four traditional areas.
Mr Eduakwa thanked the traditional authorities and community leaders for their support and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to promoting education through sustained investment in human capital.
Remain disciplined
The Community Relations Manager of the Authority, Charles Tuffour, described education as one of the strongest tools for transforming lives and building stronger communities and encouraged the students to remain focused, disciplined and committed to excellence, stressing that the scholarship represented an opportunity to pursue their dreams and create brighter futures.
Mr Tuffour said awarding them the scholarships was a sign that they believed in their potential and ability to succeed.
Some beneficiaries who spoke at the event shared emotional testimonies about how the scholarship had eased their financial burdens and enabled them to focus fully on their studies.
A medical student at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Bismark Azabe, recounted how financial difficulties nearly disrupted his education after completing secondary school in 2022.
According to him, support from the scholarship scheme had enabled him to continue his medical education despite the financial challenges facing his family.
Mr Azabe said the scholarship had relieved him of financial stress and allowed him to concentrate fully on the demanding nature of medical school.
“My concentration will not be divided between finances and education. The scholarship has given me the opportunity to focus on my studies and pursue my dream of becoming a medical doctor,” he said.
Another beneficiary from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Veronica Mawutor Adza, said the scholarship had given them the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
She urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the support by planning their life and educational future to ensure the opportunity did not go to waste.
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