The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), Ghana Chapter, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is set to expand educational opportunities for marginalized young people in Ghana through its Phase II “Second Chance Pathways” programme.
The initiative, which prioritizes girls, underserved communities, and learners with disabilities, aims to provide 1,100 beneficiaries with access to tertiary education in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Under the bursary scheme, 600 students will receive full scholarships between 2024 and 2027, covering tuition, stipends, meals, and other essential needs. An additional 500 academically capable but disadvantaged SHS graduates will benefit from the “Bridging Programme,” designed to prepare them for tertiary STEM education despite social and economic barriers.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Ho, FAWE Ghana’s Programme Manager, Madam Anna Nabere, explained that the Mastercard partnership covers 10 African countries, including Ghana, and is designed to ensure that marginalized youth, especially young women, are not left behind.
“Our goal is to provide equitable access to higher education while equipping young people with entrepreneurial and employable skills for the job market. We are determined to move beyond scholarships to creating dignified livelihoods,” she said.
The programme integrates entrepreneurship training, startup support, and capacity-building opportunities for final-year beneficiaries, linking education directly with labour market demands.
Ms. Hanifatu Panko Alhassan, FAWE Ghana’s Field Officer for Volta and Oti regions, urged community stakeholders to help spread awareness so that the scholarships reach the most vulnerable learners. “We are counting on chiefs, community leaders, and education officers to take this message to the grassroots,” she emphasized.
Outgoing Chief Director of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, Mr. Augustine Awity, welcomed the bursary as a “timely intervention” in a region where many students struggle to access financial support for tertiary education. He pledged the support of all 18 Municipal and District Assemblies in publicizing the recruitment process.
Recruitment will be conducted through a transparent, multi-level process, beginning with radio and newspaper announcements and reviewed by local, regional, and national committees to ensure fairness and inclusivity.
Stakeholders at the meeting commended FAWE Ghana and the Mastercard Foundation for the life-changing initiative, describing it as a practical step towards bridging inequality in access to higher education.
