GTUC makes donation to International students
Amidst the disruption caused by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana Technology University College has undertaken a significant initiative in support of its international students who have been affected in various ways since the imposition of the related restrictions. With support from Management, the International Students’ Association (ISA) in collaboration with the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), have taken the commendable decision to donate a sizable relief package to 300 international students as well as some of the university’s needy Ghanaian students.
The initiative, which has been championed by the Office of the Dean of Students, was undertaken to bear in mind that the knock-on effect of the COVID-19 pandemic entailed severe social implications for many of our international students who would be unable to travel home during the period. Speaking during the handing over of the items, the President of GTUC, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa reiterated the University’s commitment to providing various forms of support to our students, particularly during this challenging time. The President informed those gathered that a policy had been implemented to ensure that an amount of Ghc 100,000 would be set aside for this purpose, with an initial amount of Ghc 25,000 being used to purchase various items including bags of rice, tubers of yam, vegetable oil, spaghetti, water, hand sanitizers and face masks among others.
Prof. Afoakwa emphasized that the gesture was being made to show international students appreciation for choosing GTUC, as well as to encourage them to focus on their online learning while at home. In his closing statement, the President thanked Government for their recent decision to add the University to the Public University Bill, officially converting GTUC to a full-fledged public institution once it has been assented to by the President of Ghana. Prof. Afoakwa urged potential external donors to throw their weight behind this initiative and support the University in sustaining it for the foreseeable future.
The ISA President, Joel Kouame, thanked Management and the entire University community for the wonderful gesture and communicated sincere gratitude on behalf of the entire body of International students. Pamela Aboagyewaa Mantey, the SRC President, echoed Prof. Afaokwa’s sentiments, urging her fellow students to use this donation to motivate themselves and turn their attention towards their studies despite the challenges being faced. She also assured the student body that this was just the first of such initiatives, and encouraged them to protect themselves by observing the various safety protocols as we try to overcome this devastating pandemic.
In closing, the Acting Dean of Students, Dr Michael Nana Owusu-Akomeah, commended Management for their staunch support in making this initiative a reality. He supported the SRC President’s assertion that such initiatives would continue while the current situation persists, and guaranteed students that apart from their academic welfare, the school would consistently support them in terms of their emotional, psychological and social welfare as well.
As a University community, we commend this wonderful gesture and we are confident that the donation will go some way to easing the burden on our international students and our needy Ghanaian students as we all come together to beat the menace of COVID-19.