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UBA rewards 2024 NEC winners with $10,000 in scholarship grants
United Bank for Africa Ghana has revealed the winners of its 10th National Essay Competition (NEC) during an awards ceremony held on Monday in Accra.
The top three participants were awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarship grants for their tertiary education anywhere in Africa.
“Out of more than 400 entries submitted nationwide, 12 finalists were selected for their exceptional essays.
The top three winners are Juanita Gobah (Legacy Girls’ College), who secured the grand prize of $5,000 for her outstanding essay. Stephanie Ewurabena Aidoo (Wesley Girls’ High School), awarded $3,000 as the second-place winner and Edmund Elikem McBilly (Accra Academy) got the third prize of $2,000.
The finalists also included: Osei Kianna Agyapomaa (Yaa Asantewaa Girls), Zoe Tetteh-Ashong (Legacy Girls’ College), Yahaya Muslima Nasara (Tamale SHS), Usman Ahmed Bashirudeen Katu (T.I. Ahmadiyya), Alfred Kwaku Dankwa Kyeremeh (Osei Tutu SHS), Kofi Asamoah Asamoah-Okyere (Presbyterian Boys’), Derrick Twumasi Boahene (Presbyterian Boys’ SHS), Suhaila Katari Abdul-Nasir (Aburi Girls’ SHS), Daniella Denteh Ofori (Accra Girls’ SHS).
All the finalists received brand-new laptops, certificate of participation, medals, and branded school bags from the UBA Foundation.
The competition topics were: ‘Discuss the Importance of Environmental Sustainability and Actions Young People Can Take in Combating Climate Change,’ and ‘How Can Agriculture Be Made More Attractive to Young People to Reduce Importation, Create Employment, and Drive Innovation?
The Managing Director/CEO of UBA Ghana, Uzoechina Molokwu, said UBA Group, under the visionary leadership of its chairman, Tony Elumelu, believes that the future of Africa rests in the hands of its youth.
This conviction, he said fuels the bank’s perseverance in empowering the next generation through education and innovative initiatives aimed at bridging the literacy gap across the continent.
Mr Molokwu said the bank has spent over $400,000 over the past 10 years, benefiting 30 winners who are at various levels of education and career and that through this initiative, the bank has produced medical doctors and have one of the winners currently working in the HR department of the bank.
A representative from the Ghana Education Service, Sephina Soku Siaw, commended UBA Ghana for consistently running the competition over the past decade, recognising its vital role in nurturing young talent and fostering a culture of critical thinking.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
