Tamale, Ghana | May 24, 2022 — Savings and Development Dialogue Ghana (SDD Ghana) has awarded bursaries to 20 tertiary students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related programmes in institutions across Ghana.

The beneficiaries, comprising 11 females and 9 males, were selected through a competitive process by an independent panel made up of development professionals, academics, scientists and medical practitioners.

The bursary beneficiaries are pursuing programmes including Medicine, Engineering, Medical Laboratory Science, Computer Science and Mathematics, among other STEM disciplines.

The awards were presented during SDD Ghana’s maiden STEM Convention, which brought together policymakers, academics, students, civil society organisations, members of the public and the media to discuss the importance of STEM education and its contribution to national development.

Supporting Equal Access to STEM Education

The initiative was established in recognition of the important role STEM education plays in addressing development challenges and supporting economic transformation.

Speaking at the event, the Board Chairman of SDD Ghana, Alhaji Sadat Salifu, said there was significant potential for STEM education to contribute to addressing some of the development challenges facing the country.

He also expressed concern about the relatively low participation in STEM education, particularly among young people in rural communities and females.

According to him, expanding access to educational opportunities was important to ensuring that talented young people, regardless of their background or circumstances, could pursue their academic ambitions.

Mobilising Support Through Local Philanthropy

The bursary programme was made possible through resources mobilised by SDD Ghana from a network of friends, supporters and individuals committed to advancing STEM education.

The organisation raised approximately GH¢35,000, of which GH¢33,000 was disbursed to the 20 beneficiaries. A total of 35 applicants qualified for consideration for the bursary.

The Lead Convener of SDD Ghana, Dr. Alhassan Musah, said the initiative demonstrated the potential of local philanthropy to support young people and contribute to national development.

He noted that SDD Ghana intended to expand the initiative by engaging more individuals and corporate institutions to support students pursuing STEM education.

Promoting Merit and Equal Opportunity

SDD Ghana emphasised the importance of ensuring that educational opportunities are accessible on the basis of merit and need rather than personal connections.

The organisation said the bursary initiative was designed to demonstrate that individuals can be supported through transparent and merit-based processes.

SDD Ghana also expressed appreciation to the individuals and supporters who contributed resources towards the STEM Fund and made the maiden bursary programme possible.

Strengthening Ghana’s STEM Future

Speaking at the convention, Dr. Eliasu Mumuni, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Communication, Innovation and Technology at the University for Development Studies, presented on the opportunities, challenges and future of STEM education.

He highlighted the relatively low proportion of students pursuing STEM related programmes in higher education and stressed the need for greater attention to science and technology education.

The event also featured a call for stronger investment in STEM education as Ghana seeks to develop the skills and human resources required for an increasingly technology driven global economy.

Encouraging Beneficiaries to Give Back

The Executive Director of RAINS, Mohammed Hardi Tijani, who participated in the event, highlighted the potential of local philanthropy to contribute to social change and national development.

He encouraged the bursary beneficiaries to take their studies seriously and, after completing their education, use their knowledge and skills to contribute to the development of their communities and Ghana as a whole.

The then Deputy Minister of Energy and Member of Parliament for Karaga, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, also commended SDD Ghana for the initiative and reaffirmed the importance of promoting STEM education.

He pledged GH¢10,000 towards the SDD STEM Fund to support the continuation of the initiative.

A Step Towards Expanding STEM Opportunities

One of the beneficiaries, Priscilla Ayaaba Wintimah, a Mining Engineering student at the University of Mines and Technology, expressed appreciation for the support, noting that the bursary would contribute significantly to her education.

Through the STEM bursary initiative, SDD Ghana demonstrated its commitment to supporting young people to access higher education and encouraging greater participation in science and technology related fields.

The initiative also reflects SDD Ghana’s broader commitment to creating opportunities for young people and promoting inclusive development through education, community engagement and partnerships.