Twenty-two Ghanaians awarded Chevening scholarship

Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, a Broadcast Journalist with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, is among 22 Ghanaians awarded Chevening Scholarship to pursue a one-year post-graduate studies in the United Kingdom.

Others are Rebecca Kwei of Graphic Communications Group Limited, Theodore Fiamegu, Naa Ayeleysu Quaynor-Mettle, Cornelius Otoo, Annie Flora Mills, Jennifer Asare, Mary Agoriwo, Joseph Aduku, Bright Oduro and Enoch Quaye.

They would pursue their Master’s Programme in different disciplines.

The Chevening Scholarship Programme provides a unique opportunity for future leaders, influential and decision-makers from all over the world to develop professionally, academically and to network extensively to build lasting positive relationship with the UK.

Mr Jon Benjamin, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, speaking at the farewell reception for the scholars, said the programme had witnessed an increased in Ghanaian participation.

He said Ghana was 10th on the list of the 20 member countries with the highest application for the 2016/17 cycle.

He said the scholarship programme was funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth office, together with partner organisations.

The High Commissioner said Chevening was an important element in the Britain’s public diplomacy effort towards helping to send professionals who had already displayed outstanding leadership talents, to study in the UK.

Mr Benjamin said the Ghana Alumni group could boast of the likes of Benjamin Kumbour-Minister of Defence, Augustina Mills -Senior Manager at PriceWater House Coopers, Bernard Avle - Citi Fm and Dr Charity Binka- a Lecturer at GIMPA.

“We are pleased to award and bid farewell to 22 future leaders, who will soon form part of this influential and highly regarded network,” he added.

He expressed the hope that upon their return, they would rise to the position of leadership across different influential sectors of the Ghana economy.

Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, the Minister of Education, commended the British Government and the Commonwealth office for the opportunity to empower the future leaders of the country.

She said Ghana had a good and vigorous educational system and would continue to produce highly qualified scholars to feed the scheme.

She advised the scholars to conduct themselves with dignity and learn from others to continue to build their portfolio for the national development.

Mr Kwarteng told the GNA that the award was an opportunity to develop themselves and return to contribute to national development.

He said through journalistic practice, he wished to continue to support innocent persons who were convicted through advocacy.

He said going to study an Master of Arts in International Journalism at the Brunel University would further put him on the international pedestal.

“It is a dream come through and words cannot express the way l feel,” he added.

He advised his colleague to also take up the opportunity to apply for the programme because it would broaden their horizons.