Add value to our country after school – Ghana High Commissioner urges Chevening scholars

Papa Owusu Ankomah in a pose with the Chevening scholars

The 2017/2018 Chevening scholars from Ghana have been admonished by the country’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Papa Owusu Ankomah to acquire as much experience and knowledge in their various fields of academia so as to positively impact their country upon return from studies abroad.

The Commissioner was of the view that the scholars had a critical role to play in turning the fortunes of the country around. He asked for commitment from the scholars in ensuring that Ghana benefits from their studies in the United Kingdom adding that ‘your various fields of study and knowledge is needed back home by our people.’

He said these when the scholars paid a courtesy call on him at the Ghana High Commission in London on Friday February 16, 2018 where he said “your nation is expecting you to add value to it and if we all added a little value after our education to our country, it’ll not be in the state in which it is.”

The front of the Ghana High Commission in London

His Excellency, Mr Owusu Ankomah expressed discomfort as to why Ghana was in the state in which it is despite the multitude of talents and qualified human resource available in the country and around the world urging all and sundry to learn to give back to the country. He said he had met some brilliant Ghanaians abroad who are excelling in their various fields of endeavour but questioned the low levels of knowledge transfer back home to help develop the nation.

The 2017/2018 Chevening scholars numbering 20 in all are studying in diverse fields including Pharmacology, International Journalism, Data Science and Analytics, Economic Development, International Relations, Global Communication, Risk Management just to name a few and are in renowned universities dotted across the UK.

The scholars reiterated their commitment to go back home after their studies and not conform to the system but help in transforming Ghana.

By Martin Asiedu-Dartey