By: Dominic Hlordzi
The Volta River Authority (VRA) has awarded full scholarships to 60 brilliant but needy students from 23 traditional areas under its Community Development Programme (CDP).
The awards ceremony, held at Akuse, was addressed by the Acting Chief Executive of VRA, Mr. Edward Obeng-Kenzo, who reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to supporting education and sustainable community development.
According to him, the CDP scholarship scheme, introduced in 2011, is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education.
“Our passion and primed focus on education is because we know that it is the surest way to break the cycle of poverty and reduce socio economic inequalities.” He explained.
Since its inception, the scheme has supported 505 young men and women from communities within VRA’s operational areas, including Akosombo, Akuse, Kpone, Tema, and Aboadze.
This year’s beneficiaries were drawn from the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic years and are currently enrolled in various public universities across the country.
To support them, VRA is investing GHC 1 million to cover tuition and part of their living expenses.
Mr. Obeng-Kenzo revealed that the scheme has already produced inspiring alumni excelling in various fields, including law, medicine, pharmacy, and academia.
Among them are Miss Benedicta Honga Amartey, called to the Ghana Bar in 2024 and now with the Legal Aid Commission, Dr. Francis Essilfie, a physician at Ho Teaching Hospital and Richmond A. Frimpong, a pharmacist at Akosombo.
He also announced the introduction of an online application system to streamline processes, enhance accessibility and minimize administrative challenges.
Highlighting the importance of education in reducing poverty and inequality, Mr. Obeng-Kenzo encouraged the beneficiaries to excel and contribute to the holistic development of their communities.
“VRA is proud to power your dreams for a better and impactful tomorrow. The goal of excellence should define your pursuit for greatness as you make good on this worthy investment,” he told the awardees.
Since its inception, the CDP Scholarship has supported hundreds of students, with 33 beneficiaries graduating last year alone, 12 with First Class honors and 21 with Second Class.
A Board Member of VRA, Awulae Attibrukusu III, encouraged the beneficiary students to pursue excellence and justify the reason why the scholarship was given to them by studying hard, adding that there were more qualified students for the award but they were selected.
He said the VRA will monitor their performances and any student who fails to perform may face consequences.
Miss Magdalen Gota, expressed appreciation to the management of VRA on behalf of the beneficiaries for the support and promised to go back to their communities to serve after their education.
The Municipal Chief Executive of Lower Manyo Krobo, John Atteh Martey, applauded the VRA for the scheme to help brilliant but needy students in the operational areas to further their education.
