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16-year-old Adzokpa Seraphine Aku Kekeli of Ola Senior High School in Ho has been adjudged the winner of a National Essay Competition organized by the United Bank for Africa.

In a short ceremony at the Bank’s Headquarters in Accra, Monday, Miss Aku Kekeli a General Science Science student took away a scholarship package of GHs 20,000.00, a UBA embossed trophy, a laptop and a certificate after coming up top out of the twelve shortlisted for the final from numerous entries. 

The first-runner up was Frederick Nana Kwame Asante, a General Arts student of Accra Academy School, while the third position went to a General Arts student, Kwabla Adjani, a student of the Sogakope Senior High School.

The first and second runners-up also got scholarship packages of GHs 14,000.00 and GHS 8,000.00 respectively towards university tuition/fees, a laptop and a Certificate.

The winners get educational grants to study in any African University of their choice.

Ijeoma Aso, Chief Executive Officer of UBA foundation, the Corporate and Social Responsibility side of the bank explained that the scholarship packages would be put in a trust fund which would be disbursed in trenches throughout their university education.

Miss Aso, however, warned the three winners against indulging in social vices because “scholarship would be canceled if a report is made from you school about that”.

She also called on the remaining nine finalists to raise their heads high and be proud to have been shortlisted.

Mrs. Abiola Bawuah, Managing Director of UBA Ghana in her address said the bank is happy and excited to be of assistance with the grant as promised at this crucial time of their educational journey.

“I am very excited to announce to you that two of our maiden winners are currently in the university pursuing their dream careers. Ms. Paulina Boadiwaa who emerged as winner from Wesley Girls Secondary school is a first year Medical student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi; Ms. Dorcas Nuku Darko who emerged 2nd runner up from Keta Secondary school is also at the University of Ghana, Legon reading Political Science,” she stated.

According to her for the past 4 years, UBA Ghana has been supplying literature books written by African writers to a number of Senior High Schools across the country to help instill the culture of reading among senior high school students, with the ultimate aim of improving both written and verbal communication in English.

On her part, Cynthia Bosomtwi Sam, Director, Curriculum Research of Development Division (CRDD) of Ghana Education Service (G.E.S) representing Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the deputy Minister of Education in-charge of Tertiary Education lauded UBA for such an initiative and further advised the winning students not to rest on their oars but read wider to broaden their scope.

She further stated that the Education Ministry will continue to support the UBA National Essay Competition amongst Senior High School students to ensure that it becomes most sought after competition.UBA Foundation, the Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, announced the commencement of the second and 2015 edition of the National Essay Competition for Senior High School students in Ghana in September. 

UBA hope that, the educational grants the winners will receive will help some brilliant but needy students realize their dreams.

The essay topic was: What matters most to you in life and why?

Prospective applicants were to send handwritten essay of not more than 750 words before the 30th of October, 2015.

All 12 finalists also each received a laptop and a certificate to aid their education.