First batch of FinASA graduate

Story: Albert K. Salia
THE first batch of 22 agricultural science graduates sponsored by the Finatrade Foundation have completed their studies in the country’s universities.
There are still 46 of such students studying at the University of Ghana, Legon, University of Cape Coast, University for Development Studies and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Twenty more needy brilliant students would be selected this academic year to add up to the 46 still in school and thus bring the total to 66.
Each of the beneficiaries is provided GH¢500 (¢5 million) bursary annually and also offered internship during the holidays by Finatrade Foundation.
At a ceremony to present certificates to the students, the board chairman of Finatrade Foundation, Ms Joyce Aryee, urged the students to establish networks to help each other.
She advised them to be good citizens and serve the nation to the best of their ability.
She appealed to agriculture-related institutions to support the foundation by offering vacancies for the students to do their internship while the foundation bore the cost of their allowances.
A board member, Mr Kwame Pianim, urged the students to rid their minds of the “who you know” mentality and explore areas in the agricultural sectors to create their own jobs.
He advised them to maximise the benefits of their youthfulness by engaging in productive ventures.
The Managing Director of Finatrade Group of Companies, Mr Nabil Moukarzil, pledged the commitment of the company to support Ghana’s development efforts.
He said the company would soon come out with a skills training programme to equip street children with employable skills as part of such efforts.
One of the beneficiaries, Ms Ellen Owusu Adjei, a product of UDS, said the bursary urged the beneficiaries on to study hard to justify the investment made in them by the foundation.
That, she said, was because the beneficiaries wanted the sponsors to sustain the programme since there were many needy brilliant students who needed such assistance.
The President of the Finatrade Scholars Association (FinaSA), Mr Frank Koomson, said the decision by the Foundation to sponsor Agriculture students was a bold and critical step taken to secure the future of agriculture, on which the economy of Ghana thrived.
“You have indeed endeared yourself to the nation as a major partner in private sector participation in socio-economic advancement, as Ghana makes strides towards the attainment of Vision 2015,” he added.
He said the association had decided to organise a career fair for Agriculture students in second cycle institutions throughout the country in November this year.
Mr Koomson said the fair was aimed at unveiling career opportunities in agriculture to students and, thereby help them to choose career paths, stressing that “there will also be a business plan competition for participants”.