Minority Leader pays fees of Volta Students' Association
The Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has given a lifeline to all 33 members of the Volta Students' Association (Vorsa) of the University of Ghana, Legon, by paying their fees to ensure that their academic pursuit was not truncated.
"It's a great pride for me to be supporting one of my own, the Voltaians," Mr Afenyo-Markin, whose father hails from Tsiame in the Volta Region, said.
"Out of you will be Members of Parliament (MPs), ministers and President. Out of you will be great businessmen," the Effutu MP motivated the students in Accra last Tuesday after presenting a total of GH¢105,000.00 to the President of the Association, Xorvi Gideon Senator, to cover their fees.
Experience
Using his personal experience to encourage the students, most of whom come from disadvantaged families, Mr Afenyo-Markin urged them not to be hard on themselves but be hopeful of a great future.
Sharing with the students how he struggled to go through his education, the MP said it took the benevolence of Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People's Party to enable him to register and sit for his WASSCE exams at St. Augustine's College.
The Effutu MP said he was ready to continue with "this new relationship" on condition that the students did not abuse it.
He said some time ago, he started a similar project with some students at the University of Education, Winneba, but had to stop because the leaders were not using the money for the purpose for which it was given.
Doors
"Please don't give up. God has so many ways of opening doors. Difficult times will come but remain focused," he challenged them.
Mr Afenyo-Markin's father, then a young Agric officer, was transferred to Winneba some 50 years ago and got married to Alexander's mother, a Guan, and they had two children, including the MP.
President
The President of the Association, Xorvi Gideon Senator, expressed appreciation to the MP for the gesture, saying it was timely because some of his colleagues' education would have been truncated.
He assured the MP that the opportunity would not be abused but they would build on it to make him proud.
Students
A cross section of the beneficiaries interviewed expressed gratitude to the MP, with one Sena Adaklu promising to study law to honour Afenyo-Markin.
The Volta Students' Association of the University of Ghana, Legon, was formed in 1980 to build synergies, support each other and enhance the fortunes of the Volta Region.
