The Council Chairman of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, has presented a Toyota Lavin Hybrid saloon car to the 2025 overall best graduating student, Jennifer Addae.

Ms Addae graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, earning an outstanding final Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.95.

Her academic excellence secured her the title of valedictorian for the 2025 academic year and made her the first recipient of the newly instituted award by Dormaahene.

The presentation, which took place at the UENR campus in Sunyani, fulfilled a promise made by the Council Chairman during the university’s graduation ceremony in December 2025, attended by the Vice President of Ghana, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang.

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, who is also the Dormaahene, announced that the vehicle award would become an annual tradition for the university’s best graduating student.

He revealed that the initiative is in honour of his former lecturer and late former President of Ghana, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, in recognition of his instrumental role in the establishment of UENR.

“Every year, once I live on this earth, any person who emerges as the best student of this university will receive this prize,” he declared.

Before handing over the keys and vehicle documents to Ms Addae, the Council Chairman explained that the gesture reflects his long-standing commitment to promoting and rewarding academic excellence within the university.

“When excellence is recognised, it encourages discipline, focus, and healthy competition,” he noted.

He added that honouring the valedictorian with a tangible reward, rather than mere words, underscores the value of hard work and sacrifice, while symbolising confidence in the future of Ghana’s youth and the role of education in national development.

Congratulating Ms Addae on her achievement, he expressed hope that the award would inspire other students to pursue academic excellence with renewed determination.

Dormaahene, who is also the President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, admonished traditional leaders to actively support education and motivate young people to aim higher.

The Vice-Chancellor of UENR, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako, described the valedictorian’s achievement as the result of years of focus, resilience, and sacrifice.

“Academic success at this level is never accidental,” he said. “When we invest in our best students, we invest in the future leadership of this country.”

He thanked partners and stakeholders who continue to support the university’s mission and expressed gratitude to the Council Chairman for honouring his promise.

Prof. Asare-Bediako also charged Ms Addae to uphold the values of UENR and apply her knowledge to make a meaningful impact wherever she goes.

Ms Addae received the car at a short ceremony attended by members of the university council, lecturers, students, and her family.

She expressed her deep gratitude as she never imagined receiving such recognition, noting that her primary motivation had always been to learn, excel academically, and make her parents proud.

“I feel overwhelmed and speechless,” she said with a smile. “I believe my parents are very proud of my accomplishments.”

She encouraged fellow students to remain committed to their studies, emphasising that “the only way is to learn hard.”

Her mother, Akosua Frah, who travelled from Sefwi Bekwai Hunkyebra with Ms Addae’s father, expressed profound joy and prayed for God’s blessings upon the Dormaahene.

“We did not fully appreciate what our daughter had achieved until we arrived on campus and witnessed this unbelievable presentation,” she said.

A third-year BSc Biochemistry student, Eugene Kyereh, described the gesture as “marvellous,” adding that Ms Addae’s achievement and reward serve as a strong motivation for other students to work harder.