The Lebanese Community in Ghana, through its flagship education programme, has awarded scholarships to twelve (12) brilliant law students from the Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana.

This initiative is part of efforts to bridge the education gap and promote educational ties between Lebanon and Ghana.

At a colourful ceremony, the Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Mr. Maher Kheir, presented a cheque, citing Lebanon’s heritage as a leader in law in the Middle East as the motivation for assisting law students.

The ceremony, an annual commitment, was held in the presence of the Provost of the College of Humanities, the Director of Public Affairs, the Dean of the Law Faculty, Heads of Departments, Senior Lecturers, Faculty Staff, and representatives from the Lebanese Community, including Mr. Naaman Ashkar.

The Lebanese Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Maher Kheir, emphasized the importance of law in advancing the growth of human societies.

“Law is the pillar of any human society. We cannot live, grow, or progress without it,” he said.

The legal profession, he noted, “holds a unique power to effect positive change, and each of you has the potential to contribute significantly.”

He advised the students to uphold the standards of the legal profession, urging them to prioritize responsibility.

“Having received this unique privilege of legal education, I challenge you to uphold truth, champion fairness, stand by ethics, and be responsible in practice,” he added.

Lebanon, he stressed, stands out as a leader in law in the Middle East and the Gulf region, as the first Law Faculty in the Middle East was built in Beirut.

“That’s why we remain committed to standing with you to receive the best education in this field,” he added.

He commended the beneficiaries for working hard to earn the scholarship, adding, “Your passion for the law, which is the driving force behind your success, has brought you this far. So remain passionate and always remember that we believe in you and look forward to the impact you will make in the years to come.”

Professor Joseph Yaro, Provost of the College of Humanities, noted that the scholarship demonstrates the commitment of the Lebanese Community to promoting excellence in education and the legal profession while raising standards in Ghana’s legal industry.

He applauded the partnership between the school and the Community, noting that these engagements allow the faculty to provide students with a transformative teaching and learning experience.

He challenged other institutions and groups to emulate this gesture in supporting students toward achieving academic excellence.

Professor Yaro reiterated the Faculty’s commitment to fostering partnerships that promote positive change and help students reach their full potential.

He also urged the awardees to continue working hard, adding, “This award is not the culmination of your efforts but a springboard to greater heights. Strive for excellence because the future of Ghana rests in your capable hands.”

Dean’s Remarks

Professor Raymond Atuguba, Dean of the Law Faculty, expressed gratitude to the Lebanese Community for their commitment to supporting students for almost two decades.

However, he made a passionate appeal for the expansion of the scheme to include more students at the faculty and for an increase in the amount to cover additional costs that students encounter.

This, he stated, would go a long way in enhancing the holistic learning experience for beneficiaries.

“We deeply appreciate the support of the Lebanese Community for almost two decades. However, we would like to request an expansion of the scheme to include more students and to cover additional costs that students encounter,” he said.

Student’s Remarks

One of the beneficiaries, Nahum Agyapong, thanked the sponsors for their generous gesture, noting that it has eased the financial burden on their respective families.

He affirmed that the beneficiaries would pursue academic excellence in order to honor the confidence placed in them by both the university and the donors.

Lebanese Representative

Mr. Ashkar Naaman, a representative of the Lebanese Community, reiterated their joy and commitment to contributing to the students’ academic pursuits.

He emphasized that they would continue assisting brilliant Ghanaian students in different academic disciplines as part of efforts to achieve educational cooperation.

Over the past decade, the scholarship scheme has assisted over 500 students from GIJ (now UniMAC), KNUST, the University of Ghana, and, more recently, the School of Languages and the School of Performing Arts.

Under the leadership of the Lebanese Ambassador, students in Public Relations, Translation, and Film and Television faculties at the University of Media, Arts, and Communication (UniMAC) have been included in the scheme.

EK

You can also watch Godfred Dame's full speech on legal case withdrawals below: