Aussies Launch Scholarship Scheme

The Australia Ghana Investments Company (AGI) has launched a scholarship scheme to assist needy but talented students in Ghanaian secondary schools. In a keynote address to a cross-section of the Australasian business and financial community, the company’s Director of Management and Administration, Mr. Charles Agyeman Manu outlined the scholarship initiative and mentioned that the rationale is to complement the government’s efforts in human capacity building as it strives to improve the productivity base of the country.

AGI strives to harness resources to contribute to the economic development of Ghana in this era of ‘Golden Age of Business’ through technology and capital transfer, job creation and human resource development.

In light of the above and with emphasis on human resource development, albeit not losing sight of nor diminishing the importance of the other criteria, AGI Board of Directors, in collaboration with some Australasian companies have deemed it expedient to establish a scholarship scheme for selected secondary school students in Ghana. The main objective is to help aspiring but needy students go through their basic education programs successfully without any hindrance.The scholarship will cover tuition, boarding and miscellaneous expenses and will be paid directly to the student’s school. The first series of scholarships will be awarded to selected students in the rural communities whose academic aspirations are being constrained by lack of financial resources. Mr. Manu mentioned that a committee in Ghana headed by AGI’s Director of External Relations, Mr. Thomas Osei, would coordinate the scheme.

To compete globally, professionals in the fields of engineering, science and technology require skills in the areas of business and management relevant to their work. To facilitate this professional development process in Ghana, the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA) and the Australia Ghana Investments Company (AGI), are currently having discussions about the possibility of conducting MBA and related programs for Ghanaian professionals via proven distance education techniques.

In his welcome address at AGI’s monthly investment briefing to some Australasian businesses, Mr. Henry Antwi outlined key elements in the Government’s 2003 budget and commended the Government’s efforts in making Ghana a favoured destination of foreign direct investment. Mr. Antwi cautioned that some foreign investors under-estimate the managerial and technical capabilities of Ghanaians and rather export foreign expatriates when investing in Ghana. He said the high cost of expatriate recruits impact on the bottom line earnings of these companies and advised investors to seek advice on Ghana’s technical expertise. Mr. Antwi also spoke about the need to link training and development of Ghanaian local expertise to business objectives in order to enhance organisational competitive strategy.

Dr. Eric Owusu Sekyere outlined AGI’s partnership initiatives and emphasised on the company’s efforts in seeking funding for local Ghanaian businesses. He mentioned that AGI has received business proposals from some Ghanaians in the diaspora and currently working with a consortium of Australian Financiers for funding of these projects. He said some of AGI’s multinational partners have agreed to dedicate financial resources towards postgraduate research in Ghana’s major universities and AGI will therefore be coordinating with Universities in Ghana to identify research requirements that will enhance Ghana’s developmental efforts.

The Australia Ghana Investment Company is driven by a group of Ghanaians focussed on contributing to Ghana’s economic recovery by promoting investments into Ghana and helping secure funding for Ghanaian businesses from the Australian capital market.

Enquiries about business funding should be directed to AGI’s Director of Management and Administration, Mr. Charles Agyeman Manu at Charles.Manu1@defence.gov.au or AGI, PO Box 3523, Parramatta, NSW 2124, Australia.