A student from the Ghana Senior High School Koforidua (GHANAS), Amanor Yohunor emerged as the winner, while Michael Kissi Asrifi, from Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School, Legon, and Adamu Ayishatu from Presbyterian Senior High Technical School, Aburi emerged as the first runner up and the second runner up respectively.

The finalists wrote an essay of not more than 750 words on the topic, "The Ghana Education Service (GES) has appointed you as a consultant to review the double-track system. Submit your recommendations to the governing council of the GES.”

Prizes

The winner bagged $5,000 while the first runner-up and second runner up received $3,000 and $2000 respectively.

The $10,000 grant is to enable the winners to attend any university of their choice in Africa.

The other seven finalists were: Khan-Arthur Evans Wilberforce - St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School, Fredrick Acheampong - Presbyterian Boys Secondary, Emmanuella Haizel - Presbyterian Senior High Technical School, Fhalila Haruna - VICAR TRUST, Ruby Naa Dzagbley Abbey – St Mary’s SHS Accra, Jessica Narkie Batsa - St. Rose's Senior High School, Akwatia, and Ernestina Davis - Wesley Girls High School.

Each of the 10 finalists also received a UBA branded Laptop as well as a bag and Certificate of Participation.

Contest

The 8th edition of the National Essay Competition recorded over three hundred applications from schools across the Country.

Speaking at the announcement ceremony on Monday, Mrs Sylvia Inkoom, the Deputy Managing Director of UBA Ghana congratulated all 10 finalists and encouraged them to utilize the platform given to them to excel in their academic pursuits.

“At UBA we prioritize education, as it is a core aspect of our Corporate Social Investment and we are very committed to the area of education of the African in a bid to further transform the continent. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day today, this is our love gift to these brilliant students for making it this far in the competition” Mrs Inkoom said.

Mrs Inkoom also congratulated all finalists of the competition especially the top three and advised them to focus on their education and also read wide for extended knowledge to realize their academic aspirations.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum thanked UBA for the consistency in undertaking this project. He expressed his excitement about the huge investment that the Bank is making in the young ones.

“I have been informed that your price package for this year comes to GHS66,500 for the top three winners. I want to commend UBA again for this initiative. With the three new students that would be awarded today, it will bring the total number of beneficiaries to 24”, he said.

The Director-General at the Ghana Education Service, Prof Kwasi Opoku Amankwa said UBA deserved to be applauded for their commitment to partnering with the Ghana Education Service over the last eight years to organize the National Essay Competition.

“In addition to the significant quantum of funds they have devoted every year to pay for the scholarships for the winning students and ensuring that every winner of the competition attains the highest education possible in Ghana and on the continent of Africa, the NEC has generated quite a healthy interest among students to compete in and win”, he said.

About the competition

The National Essay Competition, a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of UBA Foundation after its launch in Ghana in 2014, has provided a competitive platform to develop the intellectual and writing abilities of SHS students in Ghana as well as granting winners fully paid scholarships into any university in Africa.