The North America Chapter of the PRESEC-Legon Alumni Association has awarded winners of the Rev Dr. ESM Markwei ‘Young Authors’ Essay Contest that was launched in early March this year.

Narh Benedict Kweku Nuertey, who submitted the winning essay on the topic of enhancing STEM education through experiential learning, received a cash prize of GHS2,000, a brand-new laptop, a plaque and GHS 500 Mangoase Voucher.

The second-place winner, Mahdi Yozerh Abdul-Wahab, also received a cash prize of GHS1300 and a GHS200 Mangoase Voucher.

For third place, Jedidiah Klenam Dogbey was awarded a cash prize of GHS800 and a GHS200 Mangoase Voucher.

A fourth-place winner, Edwin Sarpong Sarkwah, was honorably mentioned and given a cash prize of GHS200.

The chairman for the occasion and the Global President of the PRESEC-Alumni Association, Dr. Ernest Ofori-Sarpong, recapped the objective behind the initiative by the North American Chapter, and encouraged students to actively participate in subsequent editions.

He commended the participants for their writing dexterity and overall ideas present in their essays, admitting that they went above and beyond in terms of the standards usually earmarked for second cycle institutions.

Rev. Dr. ESM Markwei, patron of the essay contest, was impressed with the overall turn-out in essay submissions and encouraged students to keep on writing and reading without limits, as that would hone and develop their skills.

An Annual Affair

Dr. Prince Nuamah, the Vice President of the Odadee NA Chapter, recounted how the Chapter birthed and developed the concept of a recurrent essay competition for PRESEC students to help develop their reading and writing capabilities.

He also admitted that a quick glance at the essay topics for the competition would show that the essays required stretching the creative abilities of entrants beyond their immediate scope.

In his good-will speech, he assured the entire school and the alumni body that the Rev Dr. ESM Markwei ‘Young Authors’ Essay Contest would be an annual competition with more attractive packages soon.

The Rev Dr. ESM Markwei ‘Young Authors’ Essay Contest

The North America Chapter of the PRESEC-Legon Alumni opened submissions for prospective entrants to the first edition of the Rev. Dr. ESM Markwei Young Authors’ Essay Contest in March this year.

The contest, named after Rev. Dr. ESM Markwei, CEO of Living Streams International, is currently open only to students of the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School with future plans of it becoming a national competition.

Entrants for the award had to submit essays in English between 600 and 800 words on one of the two topics presented; “As the Head Prefect of the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School, present an address to the Ghana Education Service on Covid-19 and the feasibility of virtual learning as a permanent alternative” or “As a student columnist for the School Magazine, write an article explaining why experiential learning needs to be prioritized, especially in STEM education, to enhance our global competitiveness”.

The Chapter was grateful to the Global President and Chairman for the Ceremony, Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong and Rev Dr ESM Markwei for their unwearable support and commitment in continuing to be indispensable assets to the school and the alumni fraternity.

Also instrumental in the planning and execution of the initiative were the Headmaster of PRESEC, Mr. David Odjidja, the Assistant Headmaster, Mr. Ebo Sey, Head of Department of Languages, Ms. Asumah, sports journalist and writer, Gary Al Smith and Odadee North America Chapter Vice President, Prince Nuamah.

Find below copies of the essays that won first and second place: