Tema, Sep 30, GNA - The Unilever Ghana Foundation (UGF), on Thursday presented 16 female tertiary graduates with its excellence awards, at Tema.

The recipients, 10 polytechnics graduates and five universities graduates, were the best in their respective institutions for the 2009/10 academic year. They received a customized plaque, a palm-top computer and assorted Unilever products. Mr Andrews Quayson, Chairman of the Foundation, said that the awards were to support the empowerment of women, who 93are the engine of societal well-being and growth."

He said so far the Foundation has invested 106,000 Ghana cedis in its women empowerment programmes, which has benefited 600 females and thousands of others indirectly. Mr Quayson said its women's empowerment agenda was aligned to Unilever's social responsibility policy - The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan. Mr Quayson said apart from the awards, the Foundation has sponsored girls in public Senior High Schools, to participate in the Science, Technology and Innovation Clinic of the Ghana Education Service and entrepreneurial skills training for women in Small and Medium Enterprises in semi-urban areas. The awards winners praised the Foundation for the award and pledged to work hard to attain greater academic laurels. The University graduates were Pearl Odartey-Edwards and Rosina Ama Abrafi Nkansah, both from the University of Ghana, Nana Akua Abruquah and Adwoa Aforo Osew-Owusu, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Esther Djan, University of Cape Coast, Ernestina Awo Boachie, University of Education, Winneba, and Akua Baabo Asante, University for Development Studies. The polytechnic graduates, were Ibrahim Fatima, Accra Polytechnic, Degadzor Elsie Yesutor, Takoradi Polytechnic, Adilip Florence Amoribo, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Claudia Posaa Baboozie, Wa Polytechnic, Pearl Awuku-Appiah, Ho Polytechnic, Comfort Ntekimi, Tamale Polytechnic, Florence Yeboah, Koforidua Polytechnic, Joana Peace Richter, Cape Coast Polytechnic, and Henrietta Asantewaa Addo, Kumasi Polytechnic.