The Lebanese Ambassador and the rector pose with the students after the ceremony
The Lebanese Community in Ghana has for the fifth time presented scholarships to 20 students at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).
In his address at the Institute on Tuesday, Ali Halabi, Lebanese Ambassador said, “It gives me much delight that we are helping to build a better society for these students and Ghanaians through the provision of quality education.
“The Lebanese community in Ghana believes that the promotion of freedom of speech is crucial in strengthening Ghana’s growing democracy.
“The media which is increasingly becoming vibrant is the catalyst for social stability and economic growth.”
He mentioned that the media is a very powerful institution and therefore must be handled by responsible and professional journalists who have the nation at heart.
This, he said, has stirred the Lebanese community in Ghana to help raise a core of such professionals at the Ghana Institute of Journalism through its annual scholarship programme.
Fifteen undergraduate students and five post-graduate students benefited from this year’s scholarship package which covers the full tuition fees of the fifteen undergraduate students and 75% for the post-graduate students.
He added that “as a community, we have demonstrated over the years through our scholarship programme our commitment to improving the human resource of this country.
“Aside students in this institution, the Lebanese community has awarded similar scholarships to law students at the University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
“In addition, children of the martyrs of the Ghana Armed Forces and also children of Ghana’s Immigration and Police services are also being assisted by this scheme to complete their education, as well as our graduated law students who join the Ghana School of Law.”
He thanked the Rector, Dr. Wilberforce Dzisah and lecturers of GIJ for their support in sustaining the scholarship scheme.
Dr Dzisah thanked the Lebanse Community profusely for the gesture, saying, “Indeed, this gesture of supporting needy but brilliant students has become a ritual through the pioneering efforts of HE Halabi; we are grateful.”