FirstBank Ghana supports UPSA’s Faculty-Authored Textbook Project

FirstBank Ghana has donated GH¢100,000 to the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) as part of the bank's commitment to foster academic excellence and innovation in the country. 

The funds is to support UPSA's Faculty-Authored Textbook Project, an initiative to assist and incentivise the university’s lecturers to write textbooks and reading materials.

FirstBank Ghana said in a world where education served as the bedrock of societal progress, the donation was not merely a financial contribution but an investment in the future of education in the nation.

“At FirstBank Ghana, we believe that education is more than just a series of lectures and textbooks, it is about creating a robust framework that reflects the realities and aspirations of our society,” the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Victor Yaw Asante, said at the presentation of the amount to UPSA recently.

The Faculty-Authored Textbook Project aims to produce locally-authored, course-specific textbooks that incorporate case studies from Ghanaian enterprises.

The approach does not only enhance the relevance of academic materials but also bridges the crucial gap between academia and the business sector. By focusing on local content, we are nurturing a generation of students who will be better equipped to understand and address the challenges facing their communities.

Indigenous knowledge

Mr Asante emphasised the importance of investing in indigenous knowledge creation, saying “This partnership with UPSA reflects our belief that collaboration between the corporate sector and educational institutions is vital for national development. By empowering the faculty to create high-quality, locally relevant academic resources, we are not only enhancing the educational landscape but also contributing to the long-term sustainability of our economy.”

He said the impact of the donation extended beyond financial support and signified the bank’s commitment to building the writing and research capacity of UPSA’s faculty.

The Registrar of UPSA, Lorraine Gyan, said the partnership was about enhancing teaching and learning.

“By developing textbooks that resonate with Ghanaian students, we are fostering a culture of academic rigour and innovation.

This initiative encourages faculty members to engage in research and writing, ultimately leading to a stronger body of scholarly work that reflects our national identity,” Mrs Gyan said.

Context

As part of our broader Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CR&S) agenda, FirstBank Ghana prioritises education, youth development and community empowerment.

The Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank Ghana, Enoch Vanderpuye, highlighted the bank's passion for quality education, saying “the bank’s support for the UPSA Faculty-Authored Textbook Project, which is to reduce reliance on foreign textbooks by empowering local faculty to create course materials tailored to Ghana's unique context, is meant to enrich the academic experience and address Ghanaian students' specific challenges and aspirations, ultimately fostering a more self-reliant and innovative educational landscape that will benefit future generations.”

He said the future of the country depended on the ability to cultivate homegrown talent and resources and by supporting initiatives such as the Faculty-Authored Textbook Project, “we are contributing to a more robust educational framework that prepares students to thrive in a competitive global landscape.”