The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) has awarded scholarships to 70 students drawn from seven of its host communities, bringing the total number of beneficiaries under its education support initiative to 673 since the programme launched 12 years ago.
The current cohort comprises 37 males and 33 females selected from Shama, Aboadze, Dwomo, Abuesi, Lower Inchaban, Tema and Kpone. The students will pursue degrees and professional programmes in engineering, law, medicine, pharmacy, nursing and other disciplines at the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Cape Coast, Takoradi Technical University, University of Development Studies and the University of Education, Winneba.
WAPCo General Manager for Corporate Affairs Dr. Isaac Adjei Doku addressed students at the award ceremony and orientation session, themed Built to Last, tracing the initiative to 2012 when the company introduced its Livelihood Support Programme. The scheme began with 41 beneficiaries and has grown steadily to its current size. Dr. Doku said the programme is designed to generate long-term transformation rather than short-term relief, noting that past graduates are already contributing to national development across engineering, healthcare, education, finance, law and the creative industry.
Beyond the scholarship component, WAPCo has supported 108 young people through its Community Youth Enterprise Scheme, which offers skills training in catering, electrical works, carpentry, auto mechanics and fashion design. Combined, the two components of the Livelihood Support Programme have reached approximately 781 beneficiaries nationwide.
Director of Education at Shama, Raphael Aidoo-Taylor, praised WAPCo for its consistent investment in the district’s educational landscape and urged the beneficiaries to approach their studies with discipline and resilience, encouraging them to see themselves as future leaders and innovators.
Shama District Chief Executive (DCE) Paul Otis Dentu also commended the company’s sustained commitment to education from the basic to tertiary level, describing its impact as measurable and meaningful. “Investing in education is investing in the future of the nation,” Dentu stated.
The DCE urged scholarship recipients to remain focused and guard against complacency as they transition into tertiary institutions.
