The Mpeduase-Kitase Traditional Council in the Akuapem South Municipality of the Eastern Region has established a scholarship fund to support brilliant but needy students from the area pursuing tertiary education.
The initiative, spearheaded by Oyeeoman Nana Kwasi Ankra III, Kitasehene and Akuapem Mponoahene, is aimed at reducing the financial barriers confronting students and ensuring that deserving young people have the opportunity to pursue higher education regardless of their financial circumstances.
The scholarship scheme is also expected to ease the financial burden on parents and guardians while helping beneficiaries concentrate on their academic work without the pressure of accumulating substantial student loans.
According to the traditional council, the initiative forms part of efforts to invest in human capital development and prepare young people to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and the country.
Speaking on behalf of Oyeeoman Nana Kwasi Ankra III at the grand durbar marking the 200th anniversary of Odwira in Mpeduase-Kitase, the Mpeduasehene, Odiamono Kojo Sakyi Asamoa, announced that students who excel academically would receive support to pursue tertiary education.
Odiamono Kojo Sakyi Asamoa, Mpeduasehene
He explained that the scholarship would cover the educational expenses of qualified beneficiaries throughout their tertiary education.
He said the traditional ruler had specifically directed him to communicate the commitment to the people and encourage students to take their education seriously.
“Oyeeoman Nana Kwasi Ankra has instructed me to inform you that any child who attends Kitase Junior High School or Senior High School and passes his or her examinations with a single-number aggregate will be supported throughout their tertiary education,” he said.
The announcement is expected to encourage students in the traditional area to pursue academic excellence and work towards qualifying for the scholarship programme.
Odiamono Kojo Sakyi Asamoa urged children and young people in Mpeduase-Kitase to remain focused on their studies and perform well in their examinations, including the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
He assured them that the traditional council is committed to supporting eligible students with their tertiary education expenses.
“I want to encourage every child in Mpeduase-Kitase to take your studies seriously and pass your examinations, whether the BECE or WASSCE. The Mpeduase-Kitase Traditional Council would take care of your entire tertiary education expenses,” he added.
The council’s commitment is intended to ensure that financial difficulties do not prevent academically promising students from advancing their education and pursuing their career aspirations.
Nananom exchanging pleasantries during the grand durbar
Addressing the gathering on the theme, “Heritage Our Foundation, Development as Our Future,” the Mpeduasehene said education remains a critical tool for preparing the next generation to assume leadership responsibilities and contribute to local and national development.
He explained that supporting talented but financially disadvantaged students would help build a skilled workforce capable of meeting the growing demand for professionals in critical sectors, including healthcare, technology, engineering and leadership.
The scholarship initiative, he suggested, represents an investment in the future of Mpeduase-Kitase, as beneficiaries would have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the area’s development.
The programme is also expected to reduce the risk of young graduates beginning their working lives under the burden of significant education-related debts.
By easing the cost of tertiary education, the traditional council hopes to give qualified students a better opportunity to complete their studies and transition into productive careers.
Odiamono Kojo Sakyi Asamoa also appealed to parents and guardians to pay greater attention to the education of their children, stressing that family support is essential to their academic success.
He urged parents to provide the necessary encouragement and guidance to help children remain committed to their studies and prepare for a better future.
He noted that the scholarship opportunity should serve as an additional motivation for families to take their children’s education seriously and encourage them to strive for academic excellence.
The appeal comes as the traditional council seeks to use education as a means of empowering young people and creating opportunities for future generations.
Beyond education, Odiamono Kojo Sakyi Asamoa expressed concern about what he described as the alarming rate of motorcycle-related accidents in the country.
He lamented the loss of lives and cases of amputations involving young people as a result of motorcycle accidents, warning of the devastating consequences for victims, their families and communities.
The Mpeduasehene consequently appealed to the government to take steps to regularise the operations of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, as part of efforts to reduce road accidents and improve safety.
He called for measures that would address the challenges associated with motorcycle operations and help minimise road fatalities.
His appeal added a road safety dimension to the celebration, with a focus on protecting the lives and livelihoods of young people.
The 200th anniversary of Odwira in Mpeduase-Kitase provided an opportunity for the traditional council to reflect on the community’s heritage while outlining initiatives aimed at advancing its future development.
The scholarship fund is expected to be a significant part of that effort, with its emphasis on academic excellence, equal access to educational opportunities and the development of skilled young people.
Through the initiative, Oyeeoman Nana Kwasi Ankra III and the Mpeduase-Kitase Traditional Council are seeking to encourage a culture in which educational achievement is supported by traditional leadership and the wider community.
The call on students to excel academically, coupled with the appeal to parents to invest in their children’s education, underscores the council’s stated commitment to making education a foundation for the area’s future development.
By 1960news.com
