Finatrade Foundation spends GH¢2m on scholarships

Finatrade Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the Finatrade Group of Companies, has spent over GH¢2 million since its inception in 2003 in supporting over 200 students studying agriculture-related courses in four public universities.

According to Mr. John Awuni, Executive Secretary of the Finatrade Foundation, the Foundation is motivated by the encouraging performances of beneficiary students and pledged the Foundation’s continuous support for students studying agriculture.

“As a company that believes that the agricultural sector holds the key to Ghana’s economic development, our aim is to contribute towards developing the human capital base of Ghanaians in the agricultural sector,” he said.

Speaking at the induction ceremony of five new scholarship beneficiaries at the University of Cape Coast, the Executive Secretary said the era in which the country depended mainly on cutlasses, hoes and seasonal rainfall is outmoded and that it is time for the country to use modern technologies.

Mr.. Awuni said during the 2012/2013 academic year 11 out of the 20 scholarship beneficiaries obtained first class honours, with the rest of the nine obtaining second class upper.

“We are encouraged as a Foundation that the scholarship scheme has impacted positively on the lives of the beneficiaries and is helping them perform well,” he said.

However, Mr. Awuni said it was necessary for the beneficiaries not to only aim at graduating with good classes and certificates, but it is also necessary for them to focus on their character and develop entrepreneurial spirits in order to become change agents.

He announced that the bursaries for the scholars had been increased from GH¢700 to GH¢800 for undergraduates and from GH¢2,000 to GH¢2,300 for post-graduate students in all beneficiary institutions.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Cape Coast, Prof J.N. Buah, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, commended Finatrade Foundation for its continuous support to the School of Agriculture and the beneficiary students.

He pledged the university’s support towards the development of the agricultural sector in the country by training students who will have the appropriate skills to help transform Ghana’s agricultural sector.

Rev Prof Abotsi Entreh, the dean of students’ affairs, urged the students to be selfless, law abiding and patriotic in order to contribute their quota towards the development of the country.

He urged them to appreciate their chosen courses and develop entrepreneurial habits so that they don’t join the unemployment wagon.