The Australian High Commission in Ghana has welcomed home 39 Ghanaians who have completed studies in Australia under the Australian Government’s Scholarships Awards Programme.

Sixteen of them completed up to two years Master’s Degree, while 23 completed undertook courses in the focus sectors of agriculture, mining, and public policy.

A statement from the Australian High Commission on Thursday said about 100 Ghanaians, made up of Australian alumni, joined the festive celebrations at the High Commissioner’s residence to welcome the group.

“The Australia Government Awards Scholarship Programme to Ghana is an investment in the development of Ghanaian men and women leaders, and a valuable investment in the future of Ghana,” the Australian High Commissioner, Ms Joanna Adamson said.

“Through the Alumni network, we are keen to maintain contact and hear about achievements of awardees back in Ghana,” she added.

Since 2010, a total of 217 Ghanaians have received Australian Awards scholarships to undertake their Post-graduate Degrees, Masters, in Agriculture only, Post-doctorate or short courses at a tertiary institutions in Australia.

These future leaders are now employed across a cross-section of government ministries and civil society in Ghana, the statement said.

On their return home, Ghanaian awardees are encouraged to join the Australia Awards Ghana Alumni Network where they can share experiences with each other and stay in contact with Australia.

Awards alumni as well as other Australian alumni help build the human and technical capacity of local institutions in Ghana. They help to maintain valuable links between Australia and Ghana, and enrich the relationship between the two countries, the statement added.

The Australia Awards Scholarships Programme aims to provide high quality tertiary education and training to talented Ghanaians who will be in positions on their return home, to make important contributions to the development of Ghana.

The next round of applications for the awards which offer Masters level and short course will open on September 1, 2015 and further information can be obtained via: www.australiaawardsafrica.org.

Women are encouraged to apply, recognizing that women’s education and leadership is critical to longer-term development.