1,000 Ghanaian students will have the opportunity to work and study abroad legally following the launch of the SOS-Ghana and Africa Work – Study Abroad today March April 4.
The CEO of SOS Labour, H.E Dr. Princess Asie K. Ocansey has offered 1,000 students aged between 21 to 40 80% scholarships valued at $2,000,000.00. Each student will receive a scholarship worth $2,000.00 each.
Speaking at the virtual launch of the programme on Monday, Dr. Princess Ocansey who is also a Principal Consultant for Migration to the Government of Sierra Leone, noted that, “we cannot be sleeping on all our resources. However, you the youth are our most precious gems and we need to develop your potential for the benefit of the nation.”
She called for an all hands-on deck approach noting that, “this narrative must change.”
Dr. Princess Ocansey added that with the programme, Ghanaians can legally travel to the United States and Canada for two years of a master’s degree study and three years of work.
She indicated that this will lead to increased remittances and independence from relying on external agencies and creating their own financial institutions with the wealth generated.
In addition to the 1,000 students who will receive $2,000.00, forty youths will receive the full $2,500.00 scholarship per person.
In her opening remarks, the co-chairperson for the event, Mrs. Victoria Hajar, 2nd Vice President of Ghana Employers Association and 1st Vice President of Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ghana said, “there is hope for Africa if our youths are trained in the necessary competencies and skills and the right mindset.”
The Vice President of Liberia, Dr. Chief Jewel Howard Taylor, described the launch as an “exciting process of transforming Africa.”
She indicated that she will establish a cross ministerial arrangement with the Ministries of Education and Labor in Liberia to ensure that as many Liberian youths as possible can take advantage of this programme.
The Liberian Vice President called for an arrangement where students who benefit from this facility would sign a bond undertaking to return to their respective African countries to prevent a situation where a brain drain would result from this initiative.
Dr. Jewel Taylor added that “we can develop plans to transform Africa into what we want it to be.”
The Senior Pastor of the New Birth Cathedral, Atlanta, U.S.A, Dr. Jamal Bryant a.k.a HRM Nene Kabutey Kubi who was the Special Guest gave the assurance that his organizations will provide reception facilities for the students who travel to the U.S to create a family environment for them to make them feel relaxed during the period of their study.
In her overview for the programme, the Country Manager of SOS, said the master’s in STEM programme will be preceded by a Prep School which will prepare the students for their master’s programmes.
She indicated that the $2,000 scholarships will cater for 80% of the cost of the Prep School and the student will pay only $499.
She stated that with the pending World Cup in America and Canada which will take place in 2026, one of the courses for the master’s programme in addition to the STEM courses will be the master’s courses in various areas of sports management to prepare them to take advantage of the opportunities the World Cup would present.
The Prep School kicks off on April 25, 2023 with the registrations ending on April 18, 2023.
The Associate Director for North America and UK Recruitment for SOS-Labor, Tyson Mannering briefed participants on the various services they provide to make sure that participants in the programme have a hassle-free stay in the United States or Canada.
Other speakers at the launch included Ambrose Entsiwa Jnr., the Director of Corporate Affairs, National Service Scheme and Frederick Dodou of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA).
