Kwae (E/R), Aug 25, GNA - The Ghana Oil Palm Development Company (GOPDC) at Kwae, near Kade in the Eastern region, has awarded scholarships worth 10 million cedis to eight students, including a girl, of its Junior Secondary School to pursue senior secondary school education this academic year.

Four of the beneficiaries are wards of farmers and the other four of the staff and are pioneers of the scheme. Three of them are pursuing agriculture, three for science and two for business/accounts. Mr. Jacobus J. Mansholt, Managing Director of the Company presented the awards, a 1.2 million cedi cheque to each of the beneficiaries at Kwae on Wednesday.

He explained that the scheme was in line with the company's policy to encourage the wards of employees and out-grower farmers to attain high levels in education.

The Managing Director observed that students with sound scientific and agricultural background would be a great asset to the company and the country, as the scholarship scheme is aimed at ensuring that the future managers of the company obtain solid training in scientific and business areas.

Mr. Mansholt urged parents of pupils in the school to save for the education of their children and asked the staff to be dedicated to their work. He advised the farmers to shun the diversion of produce and stealing from the farm to enable the company to sustain the scholarship scheme.

Mrs. Grace Inkumsah of the Kwaebibirem District Directorate of Education referred to the current agitation by students over the payment of school fees and commended the company for instituting the scholarship scheme.

She commended the company for supporting education in the district and said she hoped that other business interests in the country would emulate it. Mr. Mensah Aggrey, Chairman of the Small-Holder/Outgrowers Association also commended the company for responding positively to the appeal for the scholarship by the Association and advised the beneficiaries to study hard to justify the investment made by the company.

Mr Korankye Ababio, District Chief Executive for Kwaebibirem, asked parents not to shirk their responsibility towards their children's education and advised them to bring forth the number of children they could adequately cater for.

He announced that the company recently offered four hectares of oil palm plantation to the Kwae Community and called on the people to support the efforts of the management.