Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Manso Nkwanta, Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo, has rolled out a comprehensive scholarship scheme to support indigenes of the constituency pursuing tertiary education, with particular emphasis on nursing, health-related programmes, teacher training and university education.
The initiative, he said, is a deliberate investment in human capital development as a sustainable route to youth employment, poverty reduction and long-term socio-economic transformation in the constituency.
According to the MP, by reducing the financial burden associated with higher education, the scheme aims to ensure that brilliant but needy students are not denied the opportunity to further their studies.
He told DAILY GUIDE that education remains the most effective tool for empowering young people and accelerating community development.
“A well-educated and skilled youth population is the backbone of every progressive society. This scholarship is an investment in the future of Manso Nkwanta and Ghana,” he noted.
Over the years, rising tuition fees, accommodation costs and the high price of learning materials have made tertiary education increasingly inaccessible to many families in the constituency, he stated, and added that as a result, several qualified students have been forced to defer admission or abandon their academic ambitions altogether.
Mr. Fokuo explained that the scholarship scheme is designed to ease the burden on parents and guardians while enabling beneficiaries to concentrate fully on their studies.
He pointed out that students from nursing and teacher training colleges, technical and vocational institutions, as well as public and private universities, are eligible to apply.
The MP further explained that special priority has been given to nursing and other health-related programmes in recognition of the growing demand for trained health professionals both locally and internationally, and the critical role they play in national development.
He stressed that the initiative aligns with his broader commitment to building an employable, competitive and self-reliant youth population in Manso Nkwanta.
“When our youth acquire relevant skills and professional qualifications, they do not only improve their own lives but strengthen families, boost the local economy and become drivers of development,” he said.
The MP emphasised that the scholarship is open to all indigenes of the constituency, regardless of gender, religion or political affiliation. Selection, he assured, will be guided by clear and transparent criteria, with priority given to needy but academically committed students.
Details on application procedures and timelines, he added, will be communicated through his office and local channels to ensure fairness and wide access.
Mr. Fokuo urged traditional leaders, parents, educational institutions and corporate bodies to complement the initiative, noting that sustainable development requires shared responsibility.
By Ernest Kofi Adu