Ghana Rubber Estate Plantation (GREL), which has large swaths of rubber plantation in the Western region, has awarded scholarships to 22 tertiary students from its host communities for the 2023/24 academic year.
GREL’s rubber plantations extend across three regions namely Western, Eastern and Central regions and covering over hundred host communities.
Every year, the company awards scholarships to tertiary students. Last year, a total of 24 tertiary students were awarded a GHC100,000 scholarship packages for the 2022/23 academic year.
This year, though the number of beneficiaries appears to have reduced by two, the monetary package is, however, on the high side.
At a short ceremony to formally present the Beneficiaries with their letters, it came to light that the rubber plantation company is spending a whooping GHC143,880 on the Beneficiaries for the 2023/24 academic year.
The scheme would run for a period of four years and the amount would cater for their tuition and accommodation amongst others.
The figure does not cover continuing students who are also on the company’s scholarship scheme.
Addressing the Beneficiaries, Peter C.K. Atuora, Community Relations Manager/External Communication, reminded the Beneficiaries that they are in a knowledge-based world and that those without it would be left behind.
As a result, it is important to support education, which is the reason why GREL is offering scholarships to them.
Peter Atuora, therefore, advised the Beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity and give out their best. He cautioned them not to allow the company to regret giving out the scholarship.
The company, he indicated, would be monitoring the Beneficiaries’ progress to make sure the investment being made in them is worth it.
“As you have been given this opportunity, make sure you also open the doors to others. We are helping you, so you will also have to help others.”
It is on record that a total of 64 applicants applied for the GREL scholarship. Out of the number, 53 Beneficiaries availed themselves for the aptitude test and 22 were shortlisted for the scholarship.
The Beneficiaries are coming from Breman, Abirem Agona, Asamakese, Lower Dixcove, Agona Nkwanta, Nzema East, Gwira and Wassa Fiase among other communities.
Present at the ceremony were Nana Kwesi Agyeman, Omanhene of Lower Dixcove; Obrempong Hima Dekyi, Omanhene of Upper Dixcove; Awuale Attibrukusu III, Omanhene of Lower Axim; Awulae Amihere Kpanyile III, Omanhene of Atuabo and Acting President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs (WRHC), Awulae Amgamatuo Gyan III, Omanhene of Gwira and Perry Acheampong, Corporate Affairs Manager of GREL.
Nana Kwesi Agyeman, who is the president of ACLANGO, on his part, applauded GREL for the scholarship scheme.
He assured the company that Nananom would make sure the scholarship scheme does not go waste. This they would do by monitoring the progress of the Beneficiaries.
In that direction, he advised the Beneficiaries to give out their best to make the company proud for investing in them.
Nana Agyemang, however, did not mince words when he told the Beneficiaries that the company would not hesitate to withdraw the scholarship if their output did not commensurate with why they were awarded the scholarship.
Obrempong Hima Dekyi, Omanhene of Upper Dixcove, on his part, said the GREL scholarship is one of the best scholarships in the country.
This is because GREL absorbs tuition and accommodation fees, unlike other scholarships which put a cap on tuition payments.
