The National Partnership for Children’s Trust (NPCT) in collaboration with HFC Bank and other partners, has awarded scholarships to the tune of GH¢ 40, 640.00 to 135 students for the 2012/2013 academic year. The beneficiaries, who received varied amounts in scholarships, were drawn from the Junior and Senior High Schools through to the University level. At the annual awards ceremony hosted by the HFC Bank in Accra, Mrs. Judith Sawyerr, Vice-Chairperson of the Board of the NPCT, emphasised the commitment of the Trust towards enhancing the welfare of Ghanaian children. She said beneficiaries were chosen from disadvantaged public schools across the country in consultation with school heads. Criteria used to assess the awards included PTA (Parent Teacher Association) levies, examination fees, exercise and textbooks requirement, as well as school uniforms, shoes and boarding fees for SHS students, she explained, adding that beneficiaries, who performed well enough at the BECE level, were given support to enter SHS and complete their education. Mrs. Sawyerr therefore urged beneficiaries to work harder at school and stated, “if you do not meet the mark we will have to drop you from the programme and replace you with someone else”. She encouraged parents to willingly sacrifice for their children and give them the necessary encouragement and support to succeed in school. Managing Director of HFC Bank, Mr Asare Akuffo, pledged the Bank’s commitment to continue supporting brilliant but needy students to strive for excellence. The beneficiaries were registered with the HFC Bank’s Enidaso Account where the funds awarded to them were to be deposited. The ultimate aim of the Enidaso Account is to help the youth inculcate the habit of saving by encouraging them to put aside parts of their pocket money or money gifts to cater for their basic needs and some of their educational expenses. A beneficiary, Mr John Daku, who is a level 100 student of the University of Ghana, thanked the managers of the Trust on behalf of his colleagues, for the opportunity given them to acquire quality education so as to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country. HFC Bank and Ecobank are the core partners of the National Partnership for Children’s Trust.