In its effort to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal “4”, which seeks the attainment of inclusive and equitable quality education as well as lifelong opportunities for all by 2030, the Takoradi International Company (TICO), has given scholarships to 200 students across the education ladder in the Shama District.
The General Manager of TICO, Ernest Kofi Osafo, told Citi News that the about 50 thousand dollars worth of scholarships handed over to the students was not only to help the state achieve the SDG’s but ensure that residents develop themselves to grab job opportunities in TICO and become independent in life.
“The TICO scholarship scheme was institutionalized in 2013 to support selected Basic, Secondary and Tertiary institutions as part of our corporate social responsibility in the Shama District. Our objective is to support the community that we operate from and eventually get some of them positioned to come and work at this place.”
“Already, we have some few who have gone through University and are working here as engineers. It is our desire that as we build this company, not only will we invest in the community but have more indigenous people within the community also working at this place, and that is our motivation,” he stated.
Ernest Kofi Osafo also revealed to Citi News other areas that TICO is investing to help develop Shama.
“It is not only in education that we are interested in but also health, which sometimes go beyond the Shama District. We have spent a lot of money at the Takoradi Hospital for instance. Recently, we renovated the tuberculosis and HIV counseling unit, as well as sponsoring the Axim General Hospital. At the end of the day, we are open to help address any need that is within our capacity,” he said.
Shama District Education Director, Efua Amoakowaa-Quansah, while commending TICO for increasing access to education in the Shama District, applauded them for promoting Science and Technology education in the area.
“Besides these scholarships that are helping needy persons to access education, we commend TICO for their push in supporting the study of Science, Technology, Mathematics and Innovation as well as the organization of the Shama district mock exams.”
“At this years’ STMA clinic and exhibition organized at SEKCO, Shama District schools came second in the quiz competition. We as the District Education Directorate dedicate this achievement to TICO and the district assembly, ” she said.
Student beneficiaries expressed appreciation to TICO for the scholarship scheme with a promise to study for the achievement of the scholarship objectives.
TICO is one of the early thermal power generation firms at Aboadze, which operates a 330-megawatt thermal plant with VRA as a partner.
