The awards were organised by the College of Engineering of the University in Kumasi, a statement from the Odebrecht in Accra and copied to the Ghana News Agency said. It named the winners as, Cornelius Otchere, first year, Constance Efio-Akolly, second year, Basit Issah Alhassan, third year and Dzidedi Aku, final year.

The Odebrecht Ghana Engineering Awards is focused on recognising, encouraging and motivating university students from KNUST to learn and overcome challenges, to pursue careers in the engineering field. The awards also form part of the Cooperation Agreement between the two entities, signed in 2014, the statement said.

It said the awards sought to encourage excellence and reward students with the highest Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) in the Civil Engineering Department. Ms Efio-Akolly, recounted: “Last year, I was a runner-up. I was inspired to work harder, I took my studies more seriously and I am glad that this year, I came top of my year group. I am inspired to be more focused,” the release said.

 It quoted the Provost of the College of Engineering of KNUST, Prof. Mark Adom-Asamoah as saying, “We remain grateful for the level of commitment and partnership we are receiving from Odebrecht Ghana. Our industrial partners are key collaborators in our effort at improving the quality of students graduating from our programmes. Odebreht Ghana has been phenomenal with the support being provided to students and the College.”

Mr. Danilo Trinchao, Director of People and Finance at Odebrecht-Ghana, said Odebrecht would not relent on its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to society, the statement added.He explained further, that Odebrecht was committed to satisfying its clients, generating value for its shareholders, developing the communities in which it did business, and helping its stakeholders to fulfill their potentials, said the statement.

A ‘Wall of Fame’ has been created at the Civil Engineering Faculty where annually, the names of award winners are imprinted on plaques and displayed to celebrate them and inspire other students to do more, the statement said.Earlier this month, Odebrecht Ghana was awarded the Engineering Company of the Year for its CSR interventions and projects in education, enhancement of national skilled labour in engineering and construction, health & safety at the Ghana CSR Excellence Awards organised by the Centre for CSR, West Africa, in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ministry of Trade & Industry, Integriti PR and other local and international partners.

Odebrecht has presence in 21 countries, including Ghana, and the company has diversified business activities and a decentralised structure, and does business in the engineering and construction, industry, and in the development and operation of infrastructure and energy projects, creating integrated and innovative solutions that serve both its clients and communities where it operates.