MCFSP AT KNUST FIRST QUARTER NEWSLETTER - 2020

NleetwtesrMCFSP at KNUST
Providing Highlights of MCFSP at KNUST Activities from
January - April, 2020



Table of Contents

A Brief on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST 4

The New Normal for the MCFSP at KNUST Amidst the COVID-19 5-6
Pandemic

In this Together: Stepping Up to Meet a Global Challenge 7

Contributions of Some MCFSP at KNUST Scholars Towards the 8-13
Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic

MCFSP at KNUST News 14-19

Short Profiles of New Program Staff of MCFSP at KNUST 20-21

A Brief on the Mastercard Foundation
Scholars Program at KNUST

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) provides access to secondary and higher
education for young people who desire to be ethical and transformative leaders committed
to giving back to their communities. MCFSP at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology (KNUST) in Ghana is a partnership between KNUST and the Mastercard Foundation
(MCF) headquartered in Toronto, Canada, to train altogether 2,250 scholars over a 15-year period
(750 Scholars in Phase I - 2014-2019 and 1500 Scholars in Phase II - 2019-2029) to contribute
significantly to societal change and the transformation of Africa by empowering the youth of
the continent.
MCFSP seeks to provide quality higher education to academically talented yet economically
disadvantaged qualified students in our deprived communities of Africa. The Program, in the
execution of its mandate further gives priority to Females, Displaced Persons (Certified Refugees
and Internally Displaced Persons) and Persons with Disability.
MCFSP at KNUST recruits predominantly students from the Ghana Education Service documented
Less Endowed Schools (largely rural Senior High Schools with comparatively fewer learning
resources and manpower; though a number of scholars are recruited from other local Senior High
Schools and from the African Continent, provided they meet the criteria set in the mandate. The
Program is designed to give the Scholars quality education as well as useful hands-on exposure
to the world of business for a holistic training and shaping of their personality. It is in view of
this that the Scholars are required to undergo both summer internship training programs.
Thus, MCFSP at KNUST is designed to provide students with holistic support including
the following: Comprehensive Scholarships, Skills Training, Transition Support, a Give-Back
Component and an Alumni Network.
The Program in the end desires to produce scholars who;

• value learning and have the drive to complete their education,
• have demonstrated a commitment to improving their communities,
• become role models, mentors, problem solvers and
• exhibit ethical and transformative leadership qualities.

4 Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020

The New Normal for the MCFSP at KNUST Amidst the
COVID-19 Pandemic

The Program implementation and operation, in the advent Some of the avenues for engagements include;
of the COVID-19 pandemic, has changed from the traditional
sense into a form that adapts to a “new normal” because • A daily roll call, via WhatsApp, to make certain no
of global COVID-19 pandemic. The MCFSP at KNUST one is lost in the daily headcount.

has adopted several mitigation strategies to effectively • The office had focus group meetings with the
support the scholars whilst ensuring that the Program scholars in small units of 9-10 scholars to talk about
implementation proceeds as scheduled. their fears, anxieties and expectations. They were

The Secretariat encouraged to stay calm and they were provided with
The office conducted a risk analysis to identify the Program’s emotional support to better cope and adopt to the
activities that would be highly impacted by the pandemic new environment. The office also provided assistance
in the event of a partial or total lockdown. This helped for those who need intervention in communicating
the office to identify alternative means of ensuring that with their families back home.

the program implemented its activities without having a • The Counselling Team and some program officers
lapse in its operations whilst ensuring the safety of its staff visiting the international scholars at their residence
and scholars alike. Some of the innovations the Program to check up on their well-being and how they
adopted include the following; were coping with the “new normal”. The scholars
were all coping well pre-lockdown, lockdown and
• Office Rotational Schedule - The MCFSP at KNUST post-lockdown of some parts of the country.
has instituted a rotational system; where a skeleton
staff maintains a physical office while the others
work remotely from home, so as to comply with They were provided with protective items and other
social distancing protocol. basic relief items to support them whilst they stay on
campus. These included;
• Use of Virtual Space - The Program has adopted
the use of virtual space for its operations; including • Facemasks and alcohol-based sanitizers issued for their
participation in virtual meetings and the development protection and for pandemic protocol compliance.

of online training modules to engage scholars and • Basic breakfast supplies for each month (since the
scholar alumni, among others. To facilitate this closure of KNUST) in addition to the evening meals
activity, staff are provided with data bundle to be (and water) they are given daily.
at work wherever they are.
• Provision of Some Protective Items including Scholars Online Monitoring:
alcohol-based hand sanitizers for all staff and each
of the offices in the Secretariat, and facemasks for Following the closure of the University, the Counselling
staff and scholars whilst ensuring that staff frequently Team developed an online tracking tools (Google Forms and
wash their hands with soap under running water at WhatsApp messaging) to remotely monitor the well-being
the office. of scholars; both international and local scholars. The online
tools were complemented with the traditional phone calls
and text messaging to check on scholars’ well-being and
Support for Scholars and Scholar Alumni other engagements in their communities. The MCFSP at
Community
KNUST Peer Mentors were phenomenal in assisting the
The secretariat provided support for the scholars and Counselling Team to achieve this objective of reaching out
scholar alumni community to ensure their well-being and to the entire scholars’ community to check up on their
safety. The support given are as follows; well-being and mitigate their fears whilst at home.

Scholars Visitation: Scholar Alumni Support

Before the closure of KNUST, as a consequence of the
outbreak of the pandemic in the country, staff of the The office has developed a monitoring tool to track the
Secretariat visited all 603 scholars at their residence to scholar alumni to monitor their well-being and transition
interact with them and to check on their well-being amidst plans after school and their National Service. The office also
the pandemic scare and rumors. The staff educated the constantly engages with them via WhatsApp and phone
scholars on the protective protocols as outlined by World calls to share job openings and further studies opportunities.
Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ghana Ministry of
Health.

International Scholars Support:
Following the closure of the university, the local scholars
went home but the international scholars remained on
campus and the Secretariat interacted with them daily to
ascertain their well-being.

Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020 5

KNUST’s Operations During the “New Normal”
The university has also contributed its quota in ensuring
that its staff and students are safe and well-protected during
this pandemic. Some of its activities include;

• The university made Veronica buckets, soaps, hand
sanitizers available at all its facilities including
students’ residences.

• Fumigation exercise: All the facilities at the university
were fumigated to mitigate the spread of the virus.

• Developement of an online service (COVID-19
Techbot) to help members of the University
Community and the General Public to assess their
risk of the Coronavirus.

• Establishment of isolation and treatment centres
for staff and students who may be infected with
the Coronavirus.

Support for Staff
Administrative and Professional staff upon resumption of
work after a 3-week nationally-mandated partial lockdown,
were provided with facemasks to protect themselves and
others from the virus.
Teaching staff were given support to adopt the use of
virtual spaces to begin live teaching synchronously or
upload lecture notes for asynchronous interaction in online
teaching and learning.

Professor Kofi Owusu-Daaku
Lead for the Vice Chancellor, Mastercard
Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST

6 Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020

message from the ceo of mastercard foundation

In this Together: Stepping Up to Meet a Global Challenge

In times of crisis, the best of us often shines through. In • Expand access to financial services for micro,
the midst of this pandemic, we see health professionals small, and medium enterprises, which will
caring for the sick at great personal risk; young people enable businesses to withstand the economic
mobilizing volunteers through apps to deliver food and effects of COVID-19, explore options for digitizing
supplies; and manufacturers redirecting production their businesses, and potentially contribute to
capacity to make urgently-needed health care supplies. public health response through the production
The acts of solidarity we are witnessing in the face of this and distribution of critically-needed health care
unprecedented challenge inspire hope. They remind us of products and equipment.
the enduring power of human resilience. • Enable e-learning to assist young people whose
education was disrupted by this pandemic. We will
Yet, COVID-19 has also highlighted great inequities around work with educational organizations to help them
us. Millions of daily-wage earners globally cannot afford transition to digital delivery of courses, mentoring,
to stay home. Cramped living quarters in low-income and student outreach. This will not only prepare
communities render social distancing impossible. Those learning institutions for future crises but also for
facing poverty are more exposed to this infectious disease. the future of education.
In its aftermath, they will also be more vulnerable to the • Support the adoption of digital solutions to
economic effects that will outlive it. address real needs of populations such as financial

As this fast-paced, high-stakes crisis evolves, two things services; food production and delivery; housing and
are immediately clear. First, we have a duty to mitigate construction; transportation and logistics; as well
the immediate shocks to the most vulnerable. Second, we as tools for everything from public health to supply
must lay the groundwork for recovering livelihoods and chain management. We know that economies
rebuilding communities. And we must start now. We can with widespread access to digital platforms and
do this by protecting and strengthening institutions in marketplaces have fared better than those without
key sectors. These organizations, and the ecosystems they this level of connectivity.

occupy, provide a strong foundation for communities and By supporting these initiatives, we will be deepening the
economies now and in the future. They enable resilience. capacity of diverse institutions to withstand and respond

Since 2008, the Mastercard Foundation has invested billions to this global pandemic, while building their resilience. On
of dollars in expanding access to financial services and the other side of this challenge, we want to see communities
education in Africa, benefiting millions of people and their rise up stronger and institutions emerge ready to lead and
families. More recently, we turned our focus towards enabling support the important work of reigniting economies.

young people in Africa, and Indigenous youth in Canada to There is no blueprint for navigating this crisis. However, the
access education, skills, and dignified work. To deliver on actions we take now will shape the post-COVID-19 world.
our mission, we forged a strong network of partnerships This crisis is teaching us how interdependent we are as well
with universities, financial service providers, entrepreneurs, as how powerful collective action can be. As individuals,
incubators, community and youth organizations, and each of us can do our part to slow down this virus. This,
government agencies. These are the very institutions that too, is an expression of solidarity. Collectively, we can be
animate economies. a counterforce to the economic effects of COVID-19. We

While COVID-19 may slow our work to address dignified can rebuild in ways that make our world stronger, fairer,
work for young people, it will not stop it. We remain fully and safer for all of us.

committed to our EleV and Mastercard Foundation Scholars After all, we are in this together.
programs and to our Young Africa Works strategy. We will
adapt as needed to continue working with our partners
on enabling young people to access education, skills, and
dignified work. At the same time, it’s clear that we must
step up and join with others to address this pandemic - and
protect vulnerable communities.

Today, we are initiating the Mastercard Foundation COVID-19
Recovery and Resilience Program. This program has two
fundamental aims. First, to address immediate needs such
as support for health workers and first responders and to
provide emergency funds for students.

We will do this as a matter of priority. Reeta Roy
Second, we will double down on initiatives whose impact President and CEO, Mastercard Foundation
will span both the present and the future, and enable
economic recovery. Specifically, we will work to:

Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020 7

Contributions of Some MCFSP at KNUST
Scholars Towards the Fight Against the
COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction

The world has suddenly been taken aback by the onslaught of the
novel coronavirus COVID-19. It has become a global phenomenon
that has toppled global health and socio-economic systems. As
COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc globally, governments, as
well as local and international organizations are harnessing all
resources necessary to halt the spread of the virus.
In Ghana, this has led to the closure of educational institutions
and the suspension of all public gatherings, among others. The
nation’s two most economically vibrant locations namely Greater
Accra metropolis and Greater Kumasi metropolis have undergone
partial lockdown for three (3) weeks. These regulations and other
recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Ghana
Health Service are some key measures that are being encouraged
to help contain and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Ghana.
In view of this, some MCFSP at KNUST Scholars and Scholar Alumni
who have been trained to be transformative leaders have taken
the initiative to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 through

• awareness creation, championing
• compliance to standard safety protocols
• donation of items essential in the fight against COVID-19

in societies where these are needed

Scholars’ COVID-19 Community Engagement
Initiatives

The following are some of the initiatives that
scholars have embarked on.

8 Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020

needs of such vulnerable groups; especially people with
hearing impairments. Recognizing this critical information
dissemination gap, Miss Tawiah therefore, took it upon
herself to reach out to these individuals via social media.
With support from friends at the Center for Disability and
Rehabilitation Studies at KNUST, she made video recorded
messages on the preventive measures of COVID - 19 using
sign language and disseminated it via social media.

Name: Ernest Che Niba
Programme of Study: BSc. Human Biology MB.CH. B
(6th year) - Cohort 1

Master Niba is a Cameroonian and just like other international
scholars on the MCFSP at KNUST, was unable to travel back
to Cameroon due to the closure of Ghana’s borders to help
contain and combat COVID-19. He recognized that a lot
of other francophone national from neighboring Burkina
Faso, Togo, Ivory Coast and other francophone countries
who frequently visit Ghana to trade may be “stuck” in Name: Prince Baffour Agyei
an Anglophone country with borders closed. He further Programme of Study: BSc. Chemical Engineering
anticipated that these persons may not fully understand (3rd year) - Cohort 4
the COVID-19 public education which is typically in English
and other dominant local languages such as Twi and Ga. Prince is a scholar and the founder of the Wings to Fly
Consequently, Ernest sought to reach out to such people Enterprise a small scale soap and household detergent
through social media by using Facebook as a platform manufacturing business enterprise which trains and/employs
to create Awareness on COVID-19. He uploaded video rural women. In response to the fight against COVID-19
recorded messages in French and English on COVID -19 pandemic, the enterprise moved into the production of
prevention. He also implored all who were not essential essential products to support the national efforts. Prince
service workers to stay home during the lockdown and to quickly moved into the production of alcohol-based hand
endeavor to adhere to the various protocols outlined by the sanitizers which was a scarce but important commodity
Ghana Health Service and the World Health Organization. in the fight against the pandemic. Some of the products
made were donated to his community and others for sale.
He further partnered with other scholars and individuals
including the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwame Danso
Constituency whom he supplied 600 bottles of the 60ml
alcohol based hand sanitizer for distribution to members
of his (MP’s) community.

Name: Rebecca Tawiah
Programme of Study: BSc. Disability and Rehabilitation
Studies (Scholar Alumna) - Cohort 1

Rebecca, an alumnus, has knowledge in sign language and
this together with her training as a scholar, has proven to
be very useful in these trying times. People with hearing Name: Jennifer Meiza Sennie
impairment are part of the vulnerable groups who are Programme of Study: BSc. Nursing
usually disadvantaged when it comes to the dissemination (4th year) - Cohort 3
of critical information to the general public. Although some
of the national communications on the virus via television Jennifer’s mother is a food vendor in her community at
have had sign language interpreters, most of the other Obuasi, in the Ashanti Region. As a measure to prevent and
forms of communications on the COVID-19 pandemic curb the spread of the COVID -19 virus, Jennifer provided
in Ghana have not been tailored towards the special a veronica bucket and soap for patrons and passersby to
wash their hands. She also used the opportunity to educate

Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020 9

the people on the mode of spread, signs and symptoms
and precautionary measures to be observed with regard
to COVID-19.

Name of Scholar: Seidu Yahya
Programme of Study: BSc. Agribusiness Management
(1st year) – Cohort 6

Name: Aaron Atogembasiaa Seidu led an educational campaign on COVID-19 at
Programme of Study: Doctor of Pharmacy Ejura and its environs through a group called “COVID
(4th year) – Cohort 3 19 Campaign Coalition - Ejura”. The education involved
one-on-one interaction with residents of Ejura and its
Aaron Atogembasiaa embarked on an educational initiative surrounding villages to educate the community members
on COVID-19 in Zuarungu in the Upper East Region of especially those who do not have access to internet and
Ghana. His initiative was focused on explaining the WHO social media. The education was focused on the preventive
and Ghana Health Service recommended COVID-19 measures, symptoms of COVID-19 and the necessary steps
preventive measures to the community members using the to take in the instance of a suspected case. He explained
local dialect (Frafra and Kasem). Explaining these practices how washing of hands as recommended by the WHO as
to people in their local dialect is crucial in helping them to opposed to the “usual” way of washing hands can go a long
understand the situation and appreciating the need to accept way to prevent the spread of the virus.
modifications to or abstinence from cultural practices that
encourage the spread of the virus. He educated listeners
using a popular radio station in his community.

Name of Scholar: Ngban Grace
Program of Study: BSc. Business Administration
(1st year) – Cohort 6
Name: Francis Njibiche Nlansong,
Programme of Study: BSc. Civil Engineering
(1st year) – Cohort 6 Grace lives in Katiejelib, a village in the Kpandai District
of the Northern region of Ghana. To complement the
efforts of local authorities in the fight against COVID-19,
Francis adopted a peer education approach to the Grace collaborated with a friend who is a nurse to educate
dissemination of information on COVID-19 among the the people in their community on the novel coronavirus.
populace of his community. He gathered information on They visited homes and various community hang outs and
the prevention of the disease from health professionals in convergence points, educating the local populace on the
his community and other relevant sources after which he novel coronavirus. They explained how easily and quickly
mobilized some youth of the community and educated the virus can spread among people and households.
them. He thereafter gave them manuals on COVID-19 as
health guides. The group then formed teams which moved
from house to house to educate the larger community on Additionally, they educated them on the symptoms of
COVID-19 and its prevention. His main aim was to teach the disease. They consequently implored their audience
the people of his community the preventive to be taken to endeavor to have hand hygiene stations set up in
to avoid contracting the COVID-19. their households and entreated them to adhere to the
precautionary measures they were educated on.

10 Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020

couldn’t work during the lockdown period to sustain their
households. From her widow’s mite, she donated food items
to some vulnerable people in her community. In all, five
(5) households benefited from her initiative.

Name: Malik Abubakari,
Programme of Study: BSc. Quantity Surveying &
Construction Economics,
(3rd year) – Cohort 4

Name: Salifu Zulfawu, Name: Josephine Dungayere Babamonwe,
Programme of Study: BSc. Geological Engineering Programme of Study: B.A. Religious Studies
(1st year) – Cohort 6 (3rd year) - Cohort 4
Malik and Zulfawu hail from the Upper West region Name: Prisca Yoroseh Babachuwe,
of Ghana and are resident in Wa, the regional capital. Programme of Study: B.A. Religious Studies
Wa, unlike other regional capitals, has four major local (1st year) - Cohort 6
languages namely Dagaare, Sissali, Wale and Lobi. Malik and Miss Babamonwe and Miss Babachuwe embarked on
Zulfawu saw the need for awareness creation focused on public education, focusing on Pungu Tekuru, a remote
contextualizing the various COVID-19 prevention guidelines community in the Navrongo district in the Upper East region
in three local communities within the regional capital; of Ghana. Like many hard-to reach communities in Ghana,
namely Zongo, Kabanye and Sakpayire, using the local residents in Pungu Tekuru face difficulty in accessing the
dialect. This was to enable people in these communities right information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Households
better understand and appreciate the need to adhere to in the rural parts of Northern Ghana are typically large
the stipulated guidelines. This was done using local radio because extended families usually live together and share
stations and door to door campaigns. As they embarked resources and items. This makes them particularly highly
on these sensitization activities, they also gave out some vulnerable in the event that a member of the household
essential items to some of the community members to aid contracts the virus. The scholars therefore, saw the need
in the fight against COVID-19; mostly in densely populated to create awareness of the corona virus disease, outlining
areas like markets. The items included, alcohol-based hand and explaining prevention practices whilst encouraging
sanitizers, fifteen (15) veronica buckets and liquid soaps to the observance of the safety practices outlined by WHO
facilitate the setting up of hand hygiene stations at various and the Ghana Health Service. The approach was a house
public places in the communities. to house education done in the local language- Kasem for
easy understanding and compliance.

Name: Hagar Amponsah
Programme of Study: BSc. Agribusiness Management
(3rd year) - Cohort 4.
Hagar embarked on a project at Onwe in the Ashanti
Region during the partial lockdown announced by the
government because of the novel COVID-19 in the country.
The target group of this project was daily wage earners who

Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020 11

Name: Maxwell Chakpa Name: Akese Priscilla
Program of Study: BA. Economics Programme of Study: B.A. Geography and Rural
(1st year) – Cohort 6 Development
Maxwell’s education and sensitization initiative on the (1st year) - Cohort 6
novel COVID - 19 took place at Kwame Akura, a village Priscilla focused on using public address systems to educate
close to Dambai, the regional capital of the Oti region. residents of Baakoniaba in Sunyani on the novel coronavirus.
To help raise awareness and stimulate factual discussions She visited a local information center to create awareness
on COVID-19, Maxwell focused on educating people on on the COVID -19 pandemic. Listeners were made to
the misconceptions about the virus, its transmission and understand the need to stay at home, wash their hands
prevention measures that were prevalent in the community. frequently, observe social distancing and stay healthy by
He used the opportunity to educate the community eating well to boost their immune system. She further made
members on the known mode of transmission, signs and a donation comprising of liquid soaps, veronica buckets,
symptoms and the preventive measures they need to tissues, rice, oil and drinks to Hanukah Orphanage Home
practice in order to stay safe as stipulated by the WHO at Baakoniaba, Sunyani in the Bono region. The children
and the Ghana Health Service. in the home were taught how to wash their hands well to
help keep them safe from contracting and spreading the
corona virus.

Name: Lonta Doris
(P1rsot ygeraarm) m– Ce oohfoSrttu6dy: BA. Communication Studies
Doris undertook her initiative at Moseaso, a community
in the Western Region. This was a new environment for
her as her parents recently moved there. As a Mastercard
scholar, who has learnt to lead change everywhere she finds
herself, she found it necessary to embark on an education
campaign on the COVID-19 in the market. To effectively
reach out to the market women and address their queries and
concerns, she collaborated with some health professionals
of the Ghana Health Service at post at the Community
CHIPS Compound in the community, to provide assistance
in this regard. They focused on how to safely carry out
their activities in the midst of the pandemic. The market
women were educated on the need for frequent washing
of hands with soap under running water and the use of
alcohol-based hand sanitizers as appropriate measures in
curbing the spread of the virus.

12 Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020

Name: Haruna Zeinab
Programme of Study: B.A. Culture and Tourism
(1st year) – Cohort 6
Name: Adam Fuseini Ayisha
Programme of Study: B.A. Sociology
(1st year) – Cohort 6
Name: Alhassan Habib
Programme of Study: BA Communication Studies
(1st year) – Cohort 6
Haruna, Adam and Alhassan came together to embark on a COVID-19 sensitization
program in a rural community called Ghalahi in the Northern region of Ghana. This
community houses a landfill site where most of the waste from the Tamale metropolis and
other adjourning urban communities are dumped with inherent sanitation and hygiene
challenges. Consequently, the scholars emphasized the need for personal hygiene in the
wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The scholars also contributed some money and
manufactured liquid soaps which were distributed to the community folks during the
education and sensitization campaign. They also taught members of the community how
to make their own nose masks using tissue and rubber bands. The approach used in this
education was primarily house-to-house to avoid large gathering and ensure adherence
to the social distancing directive.

Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020 13

NEWSMCFSP AT KNUST

14 Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020

KNUST Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ Innovative Contributions
in Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is a recognised global Prince Baffour Agyei
pandemic and therefore a public health emergency of MCF Scholar and Founder of
international concern. It spreads to as many regardless Wings to Fly Enterprise
of wealth, race, intelligence and rank. Thus, fighting this Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020 15
spread requires education on social distancing (2 meters),
frequent washing of hands and the use of hand sanitizers
and face masks.
Supporting this fight against the spread in Ghana, are a
number of scholars of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars
Program at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology (MCFSP at KNUST) in their communities; at the
time KNUST has shut down. These scholars are engaged in
providing education to create awareness of the COVID-19
Pandemic, others are also involved in donating items such
as, Veronica buckets, hand sanitizers, liquid soaps, tissue
paper and locally-made face masks to help in the fight
against the pandemic.
One unique scholar, Mr. Prince Baffour Agyei. He is a
third-year MCFSP at KNUST scholar studying BSc. Chemical
Engineering. He is the founder of Wings to Fly Enterprise;
a business establishment which produces multi-purpose
MegaZone, Mega Dish and Hand Wash Liquid Soaps, Mega
Laundry Bar Soap and Mega Honey Shower Gel. In the quest
to address some of the challenges of COVID-19 within his
community, Aboaso-Odumase, and other communities in
the Ashanti Bekwai Municipality, the Ashanti region and in
Ghana as a whole. Mr. Baffour Agyei has produced a 70%
alcohol-based hand sanitizer under the brand name Mega
Hand Sanitizer. This is packaged in 200ml and 60ml bottles.

Click to Read More!

Vice Chancellor of UI Visits a Community Project Site
of a Mastercard Scholar

The Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Professor Abel Idowu Olayina
Abel Idowu Olayina and the Director of Research Management Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan (UI)
Office at UI, Professor Samuel Ayodele Jegede, as part of
their working visit to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars
Program at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology (MCFSP at KNUST) Secretariat, Ghana, visited
Mr. Prince Baffour Agyei - a third-year MCFSP at KNUST
Scholar’s community project site in Aboaso, Ashanti Bekwai
Municipality of Ghana.
According to Prof. Idowu Olayina, the site visit was to enable
them appreciate the opportunities that Mastercard Scholars
create in their communities through their Community
Projects and Engagements and also enquire about the
challenges that scholars go through in implementing their
community-based projects.
In welcoming the delegation at his project site (Wings
to Fly Enterprise, a soap making enterprise), Mr. Prince
Baffour Agyei expressed his appreciation for the visit. He
told the delegation that, the low-income women in his
rural community, whom he has trained, handcraft the
soaps they produce at Wings to Fly Enterprise. “My focus
on rural women is born from my believe that economic
opportunity for women holds a promise for real change,
because when women have income, they invest in themselves,
their children’s education and nutrition to build stronger
families and communities over time,” he added.

Click to Read More!

16 Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020

Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan
Visits MCFSP at KNUST

The Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Kofi Owusu-Daaku
Professor Abel Idowu Olayina, has paid a working visit Lead for the Vice Chancellor, MCFSP at KNUST
to Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (MCFSP
at KNUST) Secretariat. His visit sought to inquire into
how the scholar’s program is implemented at KNUST
to aid in the implementation of the Scholars Program
at UI. Professor Ayodele Samuel Jegede, the Director of
Research Management Office, UI, accompanied him.
Professor William Otoo Ellis, Chairman of the Executive
Advisory Board (EAB) of MCFSP at KNUST, welcomed the
delegation from UI and introduced the staff of the Scholars
Program at KNUST.
Presenting on the administration of MCFSP at KNUST,
Professor Kofi Owusu-Daaku, Lead for the Vice Chancellor,
MCFSP at KNUST, gave a brief overview of the organogram
of the Scholars Program at KNUST and highlighted on the
functions of the EAB which is chaired by Professor William
Otoo Ellis, former Vice Chancellor of KNUST.
Prof. Owusu-Daaku, also talked about the give-back
component of the scholar’s program. “The give-back
component of the Scholars’ Program mandates scholars to
lead or participate in community projects that seek to bring
transformations to their respective communities,” he said.

Click to Read More!

Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020 17

MCFSP at KNUST Organises a Three-Day Workshop
for Its Staff

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) Business Administration and Engineering programmes in
at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology KNUST, pursue their final year and an accelerated Masters
(KNUST) has organised a three-day workshop for its staff degree in ASU.
at Rosapearl Hotel, Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region. The
workshop was held to review the MCFSP at KNUST Phase Click to Read More!
I implementations; activities, objectives and deliverables
and also to discuss strategies to efficiently and effectively
manage the Phase II of the Scholars’ Program.

Ms. Afia Ampomah Awuah, the Program Manager for
MCFSP at KNUST, presented an overview of the Phase I
of the Scholars Program at KNUST. In her presentation,
she spoke about the objective of the Scholars Program; to
recruit scholars, prepare and transition them to lead the
transformational agenda of the African Continent.

She said that in order to achieve the said objective, the
Secretariat of the Scholars’ Program organises activities such
as; summer camps, leadership seminars, networking dinners,
debriefing sessions and others to prepare the scholars to
take up community engagement projects which includes
scholars’ initiatives in problem solving.

Ms. Afia Ampomah highlighted on some of the outstanding Ms. Afia Ampomah Awuah
scholars’ community engagement projects, including the Program Manager for MCFSP at KNUST
MORE Women project; in which a scholar trains young
women especially teenage mothers in her community in
basket weaving, Floyabana Sanitary Pad project, Youth
Liberation Project and other projects.

She further presented on the 3+1+1 International Accelerated
Degree Program (IADP), a partnership between KNUST
and Arizona State University (ASU). She said that the
3+1+1 IADP is a scholarship program that enable KNUST
students to study 3 years of some selected undergraduate

18 Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020

Call for Applications, Mastercard Foundation
Scholarship 2020

Our goal is to raise the next generation of ethical and 5. The Applicant must be prepared to Go-Back and
transformational leaders who would influence change on Give-Back to his or her Community.
the African Continent.
The Scholarship package includes:
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST
provides academically talented yet economically disadvantaged • Comprehensive financial support (full tuition, fully
young people in Ghana and Africa with access to quality paid on-campus accommodation, learning materials,
university education. The Program offers an opportunity for transportation and monthly stipend).
its scholars to receive holistic training that empowers them
• Counselling Support Services

to be change leaders. The Scholars Program embodies an • Career Development Services (including Industrial
array of services including mentorship, cultural transition, Mentorship, Career Guidance, Professional Development,
Enterprise Development amongst others)
etc. that will lead to the scholar’s academic success,
community engagement and transition to employment • Regular group meetings with other scholars that focus
opportunities which will further the goal of social and on personal and professional development opportunities
economic transformation of Africa. and activities tailored to build societal relationships
and scholars’ capacity.
Eligibility: • Continued academic support through academic
mentoring, virtual learning and tutoring.
For the 2020/2021 Academic year, the opportunity is open to; • Opportunities to participate in leadership congresses,
1. All Applicants with WASSCE or GBCE or ABCE or
GCE O’Level and A’Level or their equivalent Results community services and mentoring (Go-back Give- Back),
from an accredited/recognised institution and • Uniquely sourced internships with industry for
Certificate Ready and meets KNUST’s Admission Professional development.
Requirements. NO AWAITING RESULTS candidate • The prestige of becoming part of and network with the
will be accepted. Applicant’s result must be at least
a year old. growing family of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars
Alumni and the Global Scholars Community.
2. The Applicant must demonstrate that he/she has
Critical Economic Needs. How to Apply:

3. The Applicant must have Proven Records of Leadership Click to Read More!
and Community Engagement(s).
Deadline for the Submission of Applications:
4. Priority shall be given to; Friday, 3rd July, 2020 at 17:00GMT

• Females
• Displaced Persons (Certified Refugees, Internally
Displaced Persons, etc.)
• Persons with Disability

Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020 19

PMroafisletseorfcNaerwdPFrooguranmdSatatfifoonf
Scholars Program at
KNUST.

Name: Oppong Kyekyeku Name: Harriet Afriyie-Adjimi Name: Peter Kwabena Essien
Appiah Snr. Portfolio: Program Officer, Portfolio: Program Officer,
Portfolio: Program Officer, Counselling Career Development
Monitoring & Evaluation
Harriet holds a master’s degree in Peter holds a Master of Public
Oppong holds an MSc. International Guidance and Counselling and an Administration and a BSc.
Development Management, University MBA Strategic Management and Environmental Science from KNUST.
of Nottingham and BA. Geography Consulting. With over fifteen years He previously worked with DANESSIEN
and Rural Development, KNUST. He of experience in counselling, she has Consult as a Policy and Business
previously worked with UKAID Ghana impacted positively on the youth and Development Manager, and has
Oil and Gas for Inclusive Growth many relationships and marriages. expertise in developing and managing
Programme, and he has expertise in Harriet is also a health coach and she projects that contribute to sustainable
implementing M&E systems on donor is passionate about optimal wellness development and poverty reduction.
funded programs. and health.

20 Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020

Name: Abigail Monney Name: Sampson Yamba Name: Bright Asante
Portfolio: Program Officer, Portfolio: Program Officer, Portfolio: Program Assistant,
Counselling Community Engagement & Career Development
Mentorship
Abigail holds a B.Ed. Community Based Sampson holds an MPhil in Geography Bright is an alumnus of University of
Rehabilitation & Disability Studies-UEW, and Rural Development, KNUST. He Cape Coast, Ghana. He holds a Bachelor’s
a Certificate in Disability Studies & served as a Teaching Assistant at his degree in Commerce (Accounting). He
Sign Language part 1 from Knutsford alma mater and has previously worked previously worked at Prudential Bank
University College and a Diploma in as a Career Development and Marketing Ltd., Kumasi Main Branch, as a national
Public Relations & Advertising, Ghana Officer and a Credit Officer. His expertise service personnel. Bright is a team player
Institute of Journalism (GIJ), Accra. and passion lies in climate change with clear vision for future goals. He
Abigail is focused and passionate in adaptation and sustainable livelihood pays attention to details.
working with and for persons with interventions.
special needs including the aged.

Name: Shadrach Korsah
Portfolio: Program Assistant,
Alumni Coordinator
Shadrach holds a BA. Sociology from
KNUST. He previously worked as a
Teaching and Research Assistant at the
Department of Sociology and Social
Work, KNUST.
He is passionate in working to better
the lives of others, especially the less
privileged in society; and would always
want to motivate people to achieve
excellence. Shadrach is an alumnus of
the Mastercard Foundation Scholars
Program at KNUST.

Quarterly Newsletter, January - April, 2020 21