By Juliet ETEFE ([email protected])
Seventeen female tertiary students have been awarded scholarships by Drive to Inspire Africa (DTI-A), a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering young people through education and mentorship.
The scholarship recipients, who are brilliant but financially challenged students will receive full funding for tuition, accommodation, and other academic expenses, including laptops to support their studies.
This initiative is part of Drive to Inspire Africa’s broader mission, which includes outreach programmes, mentorship, and internship opportunities for young people across the country and beyond.
The beneficiaries were from the Eastern, Western, Central, Ashanti, and Greater Accra regions and are pursuing higher education at institutions such as the University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA), Takoradi Technical University, Koforidua Technical University, University of Allied Health Sciences in Ho, Akenten Appiah-Menka University and University of Education Winneba.
Also, at the 37 Military Hospital Nursing and Midwifery Training College, SDA Nursing and Midwifery College, and Asanta Nursing and Midwifery Training College.
Chairperson of the scholarship committee, Mercy Boampong, who double as Chief Executive Officer of Serene Insurance says DTI-A hopes to increase the number of scholarships next year.
“Applicants, who happen to be the first cohort were assessed across five key areas including academic performance, leadership qualities, community impact, financial need, and moral character. We began with 97 applications from over 25 schools across six regions and after a stringent screening and verification process, we arrived at our final 17 awardees. With your generous contributions, we can raise the number of scholarships to at least 50 next year,” she stated.
Motivation
In an interview, founder of DTI-A, Nana Adjoa Hackman shared that her motivation for launching the initiative stemmed from her own experience as a scholarship beneficiary, which inspired her to support others in their educational pursuits.
She emphasised the importance of inclusive education, underscoring the need for collective action in shaping a better future.
She reiterated that education serves as the foundation for progress and called on individuals to contribute in various ways—whether by providing resources, mentoring young people, or enhancing school infrastructure.
“We cannot leave anyone behind. Education is the foundation for a better future, and we must all play our part—whether by contributing resources, mentoring young people, or improving school infrastructure. Everyone has a role to play,” she stressed.
She added that “The numbers in our schools are huge, and infrastructure is struggling to keep up. But despite these challenges, there are students with incredible determination and resilience. They understand the value of education and are excelling despite the odds. Our role is to support and uplift them.
“These young people have the potential to transform our continent. Our goal at DTI-A is to contribute to empowering as many young people as we can to be the catalyst of positive change for Ghana and Africa.”
Mr. Kwame Sarpong Barnieh, a partner at KPMG, presented the accountability partner’s report, commending Drive to Inspire Africa’s vision while emphasising his outfit’s role in ensuring regulatory compliance, financial oversight, and the integrity of the scholarship programme.
Outreach
Since its inception, Drive to Inspire Africa has expanded its outreach beyond Greater Accra, Eastern, and Central Regions to include Ashanti, Volta, and Western Regions, reaching over 11,000 students across Ghana.
Beyond scholarships, DTI-A runs mentorship programmes that have attracted mentees and mentors from eight African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Liberia, and Zimbabwe.
The mentorship programme, which initially began as a pilot with ten pairs of mentors and mentees, has grown, commencing the next round of its three-month mentorship for girls aged 18-25 on the 1st of March, 2025, with 174 mentees and 174 mentors.
