All Religious Bodies/NGOs Must Emulate ICGC’s ‘Rich’ Scholarship Program

A few days ago, I launched a 'one man' appeal to well meaning citizens and organizations to come to the aid of many needy Ghanaians to be able to go school. I spoke about difficulties many Ghanaian parents across the country are facing to get cash needed to pay school fees for their kids, especially the toddlers.

This has led to many of the 'poor kids' remaining at home or for those in school crashing out into the streets in no time. The news making the rounds is that some 400 students have been offered scholarship to pursue their studies in senior secondary school level. This is not only timely but refreshing. The scholarships were given by the Central Aid the social responsibility wing of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC).

According to information available in the media Central Aid will pay Ghc400, 000 to cover the tuition and registration fees of Junior High School students who passed this year's Basic Education Certificate Exams and students in the Senior High Schools.

Out of the number of beneficiaries, 40% are aspiring to enter SHS while 60% are SHS students.

According to a press release issued by Central Aid and signed by its Executive Director A.B Rockson, the 400 beneficiaries were sieved out of 900 who applied for scholarship for the 2014/2015 academic year.

Central Aid was established in 1988 as an educational trust fund to provide financial assistance to brilliant but needy students in secondary schools. The aid is given to students irrespective of their denomination or ethnic background.

Since it was established, over 3,000 students have benefited and gone on to pursue various careers.

The news about the scholarship award is a huge relief not only to the students and their parents but the nation as well. The educational needs of students is not only the responsibility of parents alone but the government which has the ultimate responsibility to propel children through schools. This is because on successful completion of their studies the kids would not only be of help to themselves and their families but the state as well.

I believe that many people are not surprised about the noble step taken by the leadership and member of ICGC. Those following activities of the church know that the church has done a lot in the areas of spiritual development of their members nationwide.

However, it has added to its mandate the training of people to be of use to themselves and the society.. in this regard The church is noted not only for granting scholarships but it has set up educational institutions one of which is the Central University based in Miotso near Accra. The ICGC also has a hand in the setting up of some business establishments including a banking institution. All these firms have provided jobs to a sizable number of Ghanaians.

The singular feat the ICGC has chalked with the grating of 400 scholarships to Ghanaian children is an example that is worth emulation by all the churches and civil society organizations in the country. If each of them is able to grant some bursaries to needy students it will be a huge relief to many needy parents and go a long way for us to produce many scholars needed to support our national development. We say ayeeeekoo and kudos to ICGC for your valuable effort!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
EANFOWORLD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Box 17070 ARN
ALHAJI A ABDULAI [email protected] /[email protected] 233 20 8844791 /