Ten brilliant female engineering final year students have benefited from Vodafone Ghana’s Female Engineering Students Sponsorship Programme (FESSP).

The initiative is part of the organisation’s diversity and inclusion drive.

Every year, Vodafone partners with leading Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) institutions to select brilliant female engineering graduates and allow them to become leaders in their spheres of influence.

In a brief ceremony on May 12, 2022, at Vodafone’s headquarters in Accra, each beneficiary received an award package comprising tablets with six months of airtime and data.

The package also came with mentoring, funding of final year fees, and a token for books.

Ms Torikubu Omar, a beneficiary from the University of Ghana, expressed her appreciation to Vodafone saying, “I think it's a very nice initiative. Especially the fact that Vodafone is willing to help young women shape futures. The tablet and free data will make my learning easier. Thank you very much, Vodafone for motivating us.”

Speaking during the ceremony, the Human Resources Director at Vodafone, Ashiokai Akrong, congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them to maintain their focus.

"Throughout the years, we have seen a great number of beneficiaries who have benefited from our programme achieve success within Vodafone and across the Vodafone Group.

"We believe that these brilliant young engineers would seize the opportunity to make their mark. The programme, which is in phases, begins with internship rotation programmes in several different divisions within the organisation.

"This will provide them with information gained through first-hand experience on how the company operates. After completing the internship and national service, they will be offered full-time employment with any of Vodafone's operational companies.''

Launched in 2011, the Female Engineering Students Sponsorship Programme has so far sponsored 72 young women from institutions such as the University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), University of Ghana, and Ghana Technology University.