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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
News
ATU launches 5-year Strategic Plan
![Dr.Newman [middle] being assited by Prof Abotsi [second from right] and Prof Acakpovi [left] to launched the Strategic Plan document photo Okai Elizabeth](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dr.Newman-middle-being-assited-by-Prof-Abotsi-second-from-right-and-Prof-Acakpovi-left-to-launched-the-Strategic-Plan-document-photo-Okai-Elizabeth.jpg)
THE Accra Technical University (ATU) on Tuesday officially launched its Strategic Plan for 2026–2030 in Accra, aimed at driving innovation and strengthening institutional capacity across key operational areas.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Humphrey Awuletey Williams, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oswal Investments Limited, explained that the strategic plan seeks to respond to emerging challenges while positioning the institution as a forward-thinking leader in development.
He urged the university’s leadership to leverage their expertise to train students to be innovative and produce competitive products for both African and international markets.
According to him, employers increasingly demand competence-based human capital beyond academic certificates to drive development.
Mr Williams commended the Governing Council, Academic Board, Management, and other stakeholders for developing what he described as a ‘formative tool,’ and encouraged them to ensure its full implementation.
The Vice Chancellor of ATU, Mr Amevi Acapkvovi, emphasised that the strategic plan focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening stakeholder engagement.
“The strategic plan is not just a document, but a commitment to excellence, accountability and progress,” he said, adding that inclusivity is also central to the institution’s operations.
He outlined seven key focus areas of the plan: industry-based education; digital transformation and modernised infrastructure; quality assurance and institutional excellence; industry-driven research, innovation and entrepreneurship; staff development, motivation and welfare; strategic partnerships and increased visibility; and sustainable and green technologies.
Prof. Ernest Abotsi, stressed that the plan must not ‘gather dust’ but should be actively implemented to achieve success.
“Currently, ATU is adopting measures to assess the cost of running the institution, and this plan will serve as a guide to promote the university at every level,” he said.
Stakeholders present lauded the initiative, noting that its clear framework and measurable targets would help track progress and ensure transparency in the institution’s operations.
The university expressed confidence that, with support from partners and staff, the plan would significantly contribute to national development and set a benchmark for excellence in the sector.
The ceremony brought together stakeholders from government, traditional leadership, academia, industry, and civil society.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
News
Revellers throng beaches to celebrate Easter

It was an exciting moment as hundreds of revellers from various parts of Accra trooped to the Independence Square beach in Osu to celebrate Easter.

Dressed in all kinds of beach costumes, parents were seen with their children having fun and enjoying the moment.
Others made the best of their outing by engaging in other fun activities.
The revellers engaged in games such as football, ampe, athletics while others just sat, relaxed to release stress amidst music provided by some revellers.
By Lizzy Okai

![Dr.Newman [middle] being assited by Prof Abotsi [second from right] and Prof Acakpovi [left] to launched the Strategic Plan document photo Okai Elizabeth](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dr.Newman-middle-being-assited-by-Prof-Abotsi-second-from-right-and-Prof-Acakpovi-left-to-launched-the-Strategic-Plan-document-photo-Okai-Elizabeth-80x80.jpg)


