The Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Limited, Mr Ato Afful, has urged the government to re-channel resources for foreign scholarships into providing scholarships for students in Ghanaian universities.
Mr Afful argues that it is time state organisations like the Scholarship Secretariat moved away from awarding state scholarships to foreign institutions when thriving public universities like the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) have proven over the years to be more than capable of delivering quality higher education.
Mr Afful was speaking at a press soirée organised by the management of UPSA on February 21.
The well-attended media engagement, dubbed “an Evening with the Vice Chancellor,” brought together seasoned journalists, news editors, and media managers from the print, broadcast, and digital platforms.
“We have to begin to believe in ourselves,” Ato Afful said. “Why are we sending students on scholarships abroad when there are big institutions like the UPSA offering both academic and professional studies here?”
He said: “Let’s put those resources we spend on state scholarships into some of these thriving institutions, and I believe that we’ll be better off and that we will learn to build things that come from a pride of place that is Ghanaian and that is for this continent.”
Mr Afful, who is also a brand and media strategist, commended the management and faculty of UPSA for transforming the institution from its humble beginnings into one of the leading public business institutions of higher education within the West African subregion.
He also acknowledged UPSA’s recent ranking in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, describing it as a remarkable achievement that ought to be celebrated and is worthy of emulation.
“It is probably my third time coming in here in the last 30 years or so, and I must say it’s been transformational in the impact that this University has had for Ghana, the community in which it sits, and for its contribution to teaching, learning, and professionalism in this beautiful country of ours,” he said.
Mr. Afful reiterated his company’s support for the UPSA, adding that he was hopeful the relationship built over the years would be further deepened and strengthened.
“For us at the Graphic Communications Group Limited, we have a special relationship with the UPSA, and I couldn’t have been more excited about how far we have come,” he said.
“Let us support an institution founded by a Ghanaian, built by Ghanaians, maintained by Ghanaians, and grown by Ghanaians to a point where we can all be proud.”
