The Bui Power Authority (BPA) has awarded scholarships to four students within the Bui enclave, in the Banda district of the Bono Region.

The scholarship package caters to admission fees, accommodation, laptops and monthly stipends for the entire duration of the programme.

The scheme is to assist brilliant but financially handicapped Project Affected Persons (PAPs) to gain admission into public tertiary institutions.

The Authority intends awarding scholarships to deserving students from the enclave every year. This was made known during a brief presentation ceremony at Bui.

The maiden edition saw four out of six applicants selected to pursue courses to help improve access to tertiary education within the enclave and the subsequent economic revamp for the benefit of residents. 

They are; Peter Anane Gbono, gained admission to pursue Information and Community Technology at the Sunyani Technical University, Kwame Kajansah, offered BSc Planning and Sustainability at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Thomas Shie Shakur, gained admission to Abetifi Presbyterian College of Education to pursue Degree in Basic Education and Boniface Dzobo, offered a Degree in Education (ICT & Mathematics) at the E.P College of Education, Bimbilla.

The Bui Hydroelectric project has since its inception in 2007, caused seven communities with a total population of 1,126 to be resettled.

Over the years, the Authority has implemented measures to mitigate, restore the economic fortunes of affected persons.

“The objective of the scholarship scheme is to have more residents improve the lives of the people through education, with focus on science and mathematics”, the Acting Director, General-Services, BPA, Maxwell Wumbilla Salifu said, adding “we don’t want PAPs to be left out in the technological world”.

He hopes together with the community members they can encourage more people, especially girls from the community applying to take advantage of the financial support made available by BPA, to enrich their lives.

The scholarship scheme is administered by a nine (9) member committee chaired by a renowned philanthropist and Director of the Northern Empowerment Association, Dr. David Mensah.

The other members are, chiefs of Bui, Bator Akanyakrom, Dokokyina and Jama New Town communities, Director of Education for Banda and Bole Districts, a senior officer from BPA, a prominent personality within the enclave and head of a public educational institution within the area.

While also advocating for girls to take advantage of the scheme, Dr. David Mensah, who doubles as the Gyaasehene of Mo Traditional Area said they hope to increase the number of beneficiaries per year in the future.

“We have asked them to be diligent in their studies to enable more students to have the same opportunities in the years ahead. If they fail the programme, they fail all of us”, he said adding, “his committee is assured of a meticulous discharge of their mandates”.

One of the Beneficiaries, Peter Anane Gbono who stayed home for over two years after completing SHS due to the demise of his father and the inability of his unemployed mother to support him, the hope of furthering his education almost died. 

“A huge burden has been taken off my mother and I am inspired to learn hard to positively change my life, family, and community with the support from BPA,” he said.