Tullow Oil Ghana Limited has in collaboration with the Right to Dream Academy (RtD) launched the first in the series of the RtD School Programme to offer scholarship opportunities to talented children from the Western Region.

The ceremony which attracted officials from Tullow Oil and RtD was also graced by the presence of the Minister of Youth and Sports Mahama Ayariga, Deputy Minister of the Western Region Ekow Gyan, as well as some former and current players of the Senior National team, the Black Stars and former RtD players who now ply their trade in Europe.

In a release to the press, Mr. Charles Darko, General Manager of Tullow Oil Ghana, stated that the launch of the RtD School Programme represents another milestone for the Academy’s partnership with Tullow Oil Ghana Limited.

He said “From the outset, Tullow Ghana Limited has been committed to helping RtD implement RtD facilities within the selected schools in the cities around Ghana.

He further stated that “The RtD School Takoradi represents the first of many steps in realizing that commitment to the youth of Ghana.”                                    

Tom Vernom, founder and CEO of the RtD Academy also said the main idea behind the RtD School programme is to give young and challenging youngsters the opportunity to develop their talent through a structured educational module.

“Across Ghana, it is not the talent, desire and determination of Ghanaian children that is lacking, but the opportunities for the children to express and fulfil their potential.”

He indicated that, the programme when fully rolled out will develop and deepen the country’s pool of intelligent, talented football players who can in turn have a transformative impact on the development of communities across the country.

Mahama Ayariga on his side applauded the kind gesture of Tullow Oil and challenged other organizations to follow the ever shining example of Tullow Oil Ghana.

He said his Ministry is in talks with the officials of RtD Academy to design modules of this nature so that sports can be developed through schools since they go hand in hand.

“The RtD programme is an excellent programme that will go a long way to bring out the best in the Ghanaian child. I have been pushing Tom to bring a proposal to the Ministry so we roll out such a programme across the country” Ayariga said.

In all, 12 children who participated and excelled in a justify events across the Western Region between May and July received scholarships to study at the St. Peters International School in Takoradi.   

Each beneficiary student will gain a rigorous formal education, high quality football delivered by Tim Bell, a FIFA licensed RtD football coach and a personal development through a unique character programme implemented by the RtD’s team of child development experts.

The day was crowned with a football game between some former players of the Black Stars and Tullow Western Region football team on the newly refurbished artificial turf at the campus of St. Peters International School.

The Black Stars were represented by Laryea Kingston, Stephen Baidoo, Augustine Arhinful, Ablade Kumah, Mark Asare and former captain C.k Akunnor. The Stars won the game by 4 goals to 2.