The Member of Parliament (MP) for Kpandai, Mathew Nyindam, has disbursed GH¢100,000 from his Educational Support Fund to 100 students in the constituency to help them pay their school fees.
The initiative is aimed at easing the financial burden on students and their families while improving access to education in the area.
Presenting the students with support at the Kpandai District Assembly last Monday, Mr Nyindam urged the beneficiaries to remain focused on their studies and make prudent use of the assistance.
He reiterated his commitment to investing in education, describing it as a critical tool for personal advancement and national development.
Mr Nyindam disclosed that he had earmarked about GH¢600,000 from his share of the MPs’ Common Fund to support education throughout his four-year tenure.
He explained that 27 students benefited from the first phase of the programme, while 100 students received support under the second phase. According to him, an additional 120 students are expected to benefit from the third phase in the coming months.
Cycle of poverty
The MP described education as the most effective means of breaking the cycle of poverty and creating opportunities for a brighter future.
Drawing from his personal experience, he said education had enabled him to interact and work with people from diverse backgrounds and social classes.
“The first time I saw Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, daughter of former President Jerry John Rawlings, it was only on television.
Today, I sit with her in Parliament.
That opportunity came through education,” he said.
He revealed that his office had received more than 400 applications for assistance, with additional requests continuing to come in.
Despite the high demand, he assured applicants that all eligible students would receive support as resources became available.
To ensure transparency and accountability, he urged beneficiaries to submit receipts and other relevant documents after receiving the funds to facilitate proper auditing and record-keeping.
Beneficiaries
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as timely and helpful.
One of the beneficiaries, Ms Awaki Janet, said the support would help address some of her educational needs, particularly at a time when rising food costs during the lean season were placing additional pressure on students and their families.
Another beneficiary, Mr Eningan Ntegrini Michael, a student of the University of Education, Winneba, commended the MP for what he described as a transparent and fair selection process.
He described the initiative as unprecedented in the constituency and appealed to the MP and the District Assembly to sustain the principles of transparency, inclusiveness, fairness and accountability in youth-centred interventions.
