In a bold move to invest in the future of young people, the Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Professor Hamza Adam, has launched the Kumbungu Constituency Educational Fund (KuCEF), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at expanding access to education and leadership opportunities for the youth.

Launched over the weekend in Kumbungu, the KuCEF seeks to support brilliant but needy students, with a special focus on female students pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and students with disabilities, who will receive full scholarships.

Professor Adam, who has been in office since 2021, described the fund as a “collective commitment to invest in leadership, equity and the future of Kumbungu.” He noted that 462 students have already benefited from GH¢400,000 in educational support over the past four years. An additional GH¢180,000 disbursed this year brings the total number of beneficiaries to 642 students, he donated 50,000 cedis as seed funding for the fund.

“This is more than a fund. It is a promise to our youth that we believe in their potential, and we are ready to invest in their dreams,” Professor Adam stated during the launch.

The fund has already received overwhelming support, with dignitaries including former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Nashiru Issahaku, and MP for Nanton, Dr. Sherrif Khaliq, pledging financial support. The total seed funding and pledges amount to approximately GH¢3 million.

While celebrating the progress, Professor Adam acknowledged existing challenges in the constituency, such as inadequate school furniture and infrastructure, and pledged to work towards closing these gaps. Two philanthropists Mohammed and Ahmed from Saudi Arabia have committed to building a two unit classroom block for the community valued at about 2 million Cedis.

The KuCEF will be managed by a seven-member committee chaired by a senior lecturer from the University for Development Studies (UDS), ensuring transparency and effective implementation.

The launch comes at a time of growing concern about rising teenage pregnancies among senior high school girls in the district. Chiefs and opinion leaders present at the event called on parents to become more involved in their children’s education, urging them to regularly visit schools and discourage the migration of young girls to cities for ‘Kayaye’ (head porter) work.

Some of the fund’s beneficiaries expressed heartfelt gratitude, promising to make the most of the support to achieve their academic dreams.

Professor Adam concluded with a passionate appeal for unity and continuity: “I hope this fund outlives my time as MP. It must never be politicized but embraced by all as a legacy project to transform Kumbungu through education.”