Bayport Financial Services, a micro finance company, has awarded scholarships and bursaries to 13 students who are children of Teachers, in second cycle schools across the country.
This brings to 43, the number of teachers children who have benefited from the scheme, which is a collaboration between the company and the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), and has been in existence since 2008.
Under the scheme, 10 brilliant but needy students, one from each region, are selected each year for sponsorship through the senior high schools to the tertiary level.
It was designed to mitigate the educational expenses of teachers as well as a motivational tool to encourage teachers to give of their best.
The beneficiaries were Joyce Bumbokuri, OLA SHS, (Northern Region); Joseph Amoah Oboh, Adisadel College, Cape Coast, (Central Region); Francis Nuako Amoah, Opoku Ware SHS, Kumasi, (Western Region); Elorm Adzo Anyigbah, Aburi Girls’ SHS, (Greater Accra Region); Priscilla Amponsah, Yaa Asantewa Girls’ SHS, (Ashanti Region) and Ethel Seyram Afeavo, OLA SHS, Ho, (Volta Region).
The others were Susana Oboshie Laryea, Labone SHS, Accra, (Eastern); Justina Feladam Natio, Tamale Girls’ SHS, (Upper East); Matthew Harku, Nandom SHS, (Upper West) and Eric Gyamfi, Sunyani SHS, (Brong-Ahafo Region).
The bursaries went to Opoku Nyarko, Presby Boys SHS, Accra, and Elizabeth Akosua Akwabea, Wesley Girls SHS, (both from the Brong-Ahafo Region) and Henry Otu, Achimota School, Accra, (Eastern).
At the presentation ceremony in Accra last Thursday, the Managing Director of Bayport, Kofi Adu Mensah said the company is expected to spend GH¢100,000 on each student and urged them to learn hard to justify the investment being made in their education.
“I would like to stress that to continue enjoying the scholarship, you must show excellence in your academic work and also be of good behaviour because Bayport does not condone indiscipline” he added.
The company as part of its corporate social responsibilities has provided potable water for the Aburi SHS at the cost of GH¢4,000, has had the Tamale SHS dining hall painted at the cost GH¢2,000, donated text and exercise books, computers, sports equipment, all valued at GH¢9,600 to the Tanoso Methodist Basic School as well as provided 700 desks worth GH¢17,500 to the Tarkwa Goldfields JHS.
The Deputy Minister of Education, in charge of Tertiary Education, Mrs. Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh, in her address, noted how encouraging it was “to see private institutions in the country supporting government’s effort in promoting education”.
She urged students to assist their parents during vacation and reminded them that “no matter where you have reached in education, respect and assist them in life”.
The General Secretary of GNAT, Mrs Irene Ducan-Adanusa, commended Bayport for its initiative at helping to improve education delivery in the country and urged the awardees to shun bad company and concentrate on their studies and become good leaders for the country.
Nana Prah Agyensaim VI, the Omahene of Assin Owirenkyi Traditional Area, who chaired the occasion, commended teachers in the country for their selfless dedication to duty.
The headmistress of Labone SHS, Mrs. Joyce Osei Agyekum, bemoaned the situation where most students on scholarship got carried away and as a result had their awards withdrawn, and therefore advised the beneficiaries to be determined and focused in their studies, and goes the extra mile to join clubs which can bring out the excellence in them.
Ms. Anyigbah on behalf of the beneficiaries said the awards will go a long way to help them have the peace of mind to study and pledged they would study hard to justify the award.
