A final year Human Resource (HR) student of the KNUST School of Business (KSB) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Emmanuel Jason Asare, has paid the school fees for some 11 needy students for the 2023/2024 academic year.
In all, Jason Asare – who is also a businessman – paid almost Gh₵20,000 to the Business School, which includes arrears for some of the beneficiaries.
Jason Asare told the B&FT, during a short ceremony at the KSB provost’s office, that he gave out the support to help some of his colleagues who are confronted with financial difficulties to have the free mind to focus on their academic work.
Narrating the reason for the gesture, Jason told the B&FT that he got touched during his second year second semester examination when some of his colleagues were sent away from the exam hall for non-payment of school fees. He then resolved to help them anytime he gets the means.
Lecturer at KSB, Hannah Vivian Osei, who led Jason and the beneficiary students to the Provost and board members of the college, noted that this gesture has indeed touched the lives of the beneficiaries and encouraged others to emulate same.
“Let’s give hope to these students as they are the future leaders. For the college, this is a big move to know that even students can help their mates. So, everyone, including stakeholders should come on board,” she said.
Provost of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Charles Ofosu Marfo, commending the gesture by Jason Asare, encouraged other philanthropists – including students who can support their colleagues – to also do same or even more.
He advised Jason to set up a foundation so other people can contribute to help gather enough money to assist other needy students within and outside the university community.
One of the beneficiaries who spoke to B&FT on condition of anonymity expressed how this gesture has gone a long way to help him.
He told B&FT he has been going through financial difficulties as his parents are not able to cater fully for his school needs – accommodation, fees, pocket money, books, among other things.
According to him, he does side jobs during vacations, like teaching, to save up to help cater for all of these needs with some form of assistance from his siblings.
He was, therefore, full of appreciation for Jason Asare for coming to his aid and that of the other 10 students. He promised to study hard to ensure the efforts do not go to waste.
