The Upper West Regional Chief Imam Educational Endowment Fund has disbursed GH¢138,536 to support 61 academically promising but financially disadvantaged students pursuing tertiary education nationwide.
The support covers the 2026/27 academic year. The number of beneficiaries has risen from 44 in the previous academic year to 61, an increase of 38.64%.
The Secretary to the Fund, Dr Saeed Moomin, announced the disbursement at a press conference at the forecourt of the Regional Chief Imam’s residence in Wa.
He said the Chief Imam’s office continued to receive numerous requests for educational assistance, reflecting the financial difficulties facing families in the region.
Established in October 2022, the fund selects beneficiaries through academic assessments, interviews to establish financial need and home verification visits.
For some beneficiaries, the assistance has made the difference between continuing their education and putting it on hold.
Ibrahim Salim, a Level 400 Political Science student at UBIDS, said financial difficulties had nearly forced him to defer his programme.
“Due to this wonderful programme, wonderful foundation, I am able, let me say, in a few months to come, I will be calling myself a graduate,” he said.
Amatus Ahmed, a Diploma in Business Studies student at UBIDS, said the initiative offered an important lifeline to young people from rural communities who struggle to secure financial assistance.
Ayisha Yahaya, a Level 300 Basic Education student at Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College of Education, also expressed gratitude for the continued support that had helped her progress through her studies.
Stakeholders at the event urged beneficiaries to make good use of the assistance and contribute to the fund when they were able to do so.
Former Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Tahiru Issahaku Moomin, called for unity in tackling poverty, describing it as a “common enemy” holding back the region’s development.
“We have a bridge to cross, and that bridge… is the bridge to cross to success and prosperity,” he said.
The Headmaster of Wa Senior High School, Adams Iddrisu Thirdman, cautioned students against diverting the money to other purposes. He encouraged them to excel academically and help sustain the initiative for future beneficiaries.
The President of the Upper West Bar Association, Siddique Obeidu, commended the fund for investing in the region’s human capital.
He said expanding educational opportunities for vulnerable young people could help reduce their risk of turning to armed robbery or drug abuse.
Mr Obeidu added that the fund provided a dependable platform for citizens to support education and contribute to the region’s development.