Return home, make a difference - Ghana’s envoy in UK tells Chevening Scholars
Ghana's High Commissioner in London, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, has urged the 2016/17 cohort of Ghanaian Chevening scholars not to let the system consume them but strive to make a difference when they return home to contribute to national development.
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The High Commissioner gave the advice when Ghanaian Chevening Scholars studying for a master’s degree in various fields across the United Kingdom (UK) paid a courtesy call on him to welcome him to his new position.
“Never lose hope in your country. Probably you may be the ones to make a significant change in your country. Do your best, stay focused and hold fast to your ideals,” Papa Owusu-Ankomah urged them.
UK’s Chevening scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government’s international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders. It offers a unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers and decision-makers from all over the world to develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture and build lasting positive relationships with the UK.
Last year, 22 Ghanaians were awarded the Chevening Scholarship to study for postgraduate degrees in various universities across the UK.
Use global network to develop nation
Papa Owusu-Ankomah told the scholars that it was a privilege to be educated in the UK, adding that “as Chevening Scholars, you are trained to be global leaders and so you need to compete globally but it is the value you add to yourself after school that counts.”
He said the High Commission had a plan to engage with Ghanaian students in the UK in order to mobilise the human resource to contribute to Ghana’s development agenda.
“As the President said he was looking at Ghana beyond aid and you as Chevening Scholars should help us go beyond aid” he said.
The scholars who had earlier introduced themselves and the courses they were undertaking, talked about their plans to help in national development when they returned home.
They later presented the High Commissioner with a cake decorated in the colours of the Ghana national flag.
Present at the meeting were the Head of Chancery, Damptey B. Asare and Head of Education and Recruitment Section, William M. Osafo.
In another development, the scholars attended a farewell event for the Chevening Class of 2016. The 1,900 beneficiaries of the scholarship from 140 countries became part of about 46,000 Chevening alumni worldwide.