A total of 111 brilliant yet low-income students from project-affected communities in the Bono and Savannah regions have received the Bui Scholarship, an initiative designed to promote academic excellence and ease financial barriers to education.
The scholarship program was launched in March 2019 by the Bui Power Authority (BPA) to support talented but needy students living in areas impacted by the Authority’s operations. Originally focused on local communities, the scheme has since expanded to cover four traditional areas: Banda, Bole, Jama, and North Mole.
Speaking on behalf of the BPA CEO, Chrisantus Kuunifa, Director of Occupational Health, Safety, Security, and Environment at BPA, emphasized that the initiative provides both financial and non-financial support to gifted individuals.
He said the goal is to encourage interest in science and tertiary education while empowering students to reach their full potential and positively influence their communities.
The program has already recorded notable success. One hundred and eleven deserving students have benefited, and seventeen awardees have graduated across various disciplines, including engineering, nursing, and information technology.
Charles Tuffour, Community Relations Manager at the Bui Power Authority, noted that the scholarship eases the financial burden on parents in the Banda and Savannah regions who have been affected by dam construction.
He expressed hope that BPA would continue to expand its efforts and sustain its corporate social responsibility initiatives for impacted communities.
“This scholarship has eased the pressure on parents who are really struggling to raise money to pay for university education in both Banda and Savannah regions, which were affected by the construction of the dam. So, Oliver asks for more. We pray that Bui Power will continue to open or expand its operations,” he said.
Mr. Tuffour stated that he hopes Bui Power will continue to expand its operations to generate more revenue and continue to engage in these meaningful corporate social responsibility initiatives for the project-affected people in the BWI operational enclave.
One noteworthy example he mentioned is a scholarship program that has enabled a boy from a family with seven siblings to study medicine at UDS, highlighting the positive impact of education on the community. “This success story encourages the CEO and management to invest further in educational initiatives to improve the living standards of local residents.”
A beneficiary, Franklin Nyua expressed gratitude to the Bui Power Authority for their support, stating that it alleviated the financial stress he faced during his education.
“I completed SHS in 2023, so I’ve been out for almost three years now. My parents are cashew farmers, so life was somewhat hard. But now, I’m much grateful to Bui Power Authority for giving me this opportunity.”
Veronica Adza, another beneficiary, also thanked BPA for their support throughout school, alleviating her from the stress she would have experienced in paying her tuition fees, hostel fees, and other expenses.
“The stipend they give us helps a lot. It really helped me because I was stress-free in school, not thinking about how my fees were going to be paid and everything. I’m really grateful to BPA for their support. Now I’m an electrical engineer, a proud electrical engineer, and I’m currently doing my National Service with our authority. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity.”
The scholarship scheme underscores a strong commitment to education and community development, paving the way for future generations in the region.
By Claude Kumi Abisa
