10,000 SHS Students To Enter UBA Essay Competition

Over 10,000 students from the Senior High Schools across the country are expected to participate in this year’s UBA 4th Annual Essay Competition to win educational grants into any African university of their choice.

The first winner will receive a prize of US$5000, the second winner will take home US$3,500 and US$2000 for the third winner.

Entries for the fourth edition starts on Thursday, October 5 and will close on Friday, November 10.

Applicants are required to submit handwritten essays of not more than 750 words to any UBA Ghana branch or to the head office, Heritage Tower in Accra, on the topic: “Galamsey or illegal mining has been a menace to the Ghanaian society causing ill effects. As a student, what ways or methods do you suggest can curb this societal problem?”

Speaking at a ceremony to launch the programme, The Chief Executive Officer of UBA Ghana, Abiola Bawuah said the number of essay entries received last year was 2700 which is an improvement over the previous years and they are encouraged to extend this to over 10,000 students this year.

She noted that the 2017 edition of the National Essay Competition (NEC) which was launched in 2014 provides a competitive platform to develop the intellectual and writing abilities of Senior High School students in across Africa.

Mrs. Bawuah added that the National Essay Competition in Ghana has produced nine winners, some of whom are studying in various universities in Ghana.

According to her, for three consecutive years, they have organised and sponsored nine students at the tertiary level, and this year they are hoping to make it 12.

“We are committed to this and will keep supporting students who strive to achieve academic excellence in cognitive writing among other academic disciplines” she said.

Mr. Bawuah was pleased with the bank’s contribution to education in the country so far.

The CEO of the UBA Foundation, Bola Atta indicated that one of their key focus areas is Education as it leads to empowerment especially the youths who are the future leaders on the continent.

“We have launched in 3 African countries presently and plan on extending this to all countries in which we operate. I’d like to wish all the hopefuls success with their entries as this is a potentially life changing competition for many,”he posited.

Mr. Augustus Owusu-Agyemfra, the Deputy Director of the Secondary Division of the Ghana Education Service praised UBA for their contribution to education and pledged their support to sensitise all Senior High Schools of the UBA Foundation Essay Competition.

“I have heard of the competition and I have learnt of its contribution. We will use our connection with all the schools to ensure this year’s competition is well promoted,” he stated.