The Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) has offered scholarship awards to 16 brilliant but needy students in eight traditional areas where the company operates in the Western Region. The scholarship scheme which has benefited several students in the past, supported 14 indigenes who excelled in their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and two persons who also excelled in their West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The Ahanta West District Director of Education, Mr. Eric Obese Amponsah, noted that education is a shared responsibility and as such government alone cannot shoulder all the cost. He thus commended GREL for the gesture. “It is very important that parents, organizations, chiefs and all stakeholders play their roles effectively to ensure that all inputs towards quality education are provided”, he said. He added that a well endowed and educated individual has the capacity to change the cause of history and to bring desirable changes in the society. Mr. Lionel Barres, Managing Director of GREL said the company is committed to ensuring that it invests in the education of children in the company’s catchment areas. “This is a life time opportunity and I urge you to take your studies seriously to become responsible people in the operational area as well as get employment opportunity in our company”, he said. The Paramount Chief of Nsein Traditional Area and Chairman of the Association of Chiefs on Whose Land GREL Operates (ACLANGO), Awulae Agyefi Kwame, commended GREL for instituting the scholarship scheme seven years ago and sustaining it. He added that “education is the bedrock for development in every society”. He however asked for more of such interventions and admonished residents in the operational area not to resort to demonstrations against the company but rather involve the chiefs in getting their grievances addressed when they have disagreements with the company. “GREL as any human institution can err but it is important to solve issues amicably for peace to prevail” he noted and encouraged the students to take their studies seriously in order to continue to enjoy the scholarship. The Deputy Human Resource and Administrative Manager of GREL, John Edoh said the initiative forms part of the company’s sustainable development policy which seeks to assist communities where it operates. Mr Edoh said this was to ensure they maintain a harmonious relationship with the communities for their mutual benefit. He said about GHS20,000 will be spent on the latest scholarship package.