Mankessim (C/R), Feb 21, GNA - The Mankessim Programme area of Plan Ghana, a child-centred non-governmental body has offered scholarship to 297 students to pursue Senior High School education in the country's institutions.

The scholarship scheme is also extended to some eight youth currently under apprenticeship in some vocations. The Mankessim Programme Area covers Mfantseman and Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese districts.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Mankessim on Wednesday, Mr Michael Safo-Kantanka, Administrative Assistant, Plan Ghana, said the scholarship covered tuition, boarding and exam fees for the West Africa Senior High School Examination.

Mr Jacob Turkson, the Programme Area Manager, said GH¢1,060 would be spent on each student for the four-year duration of the course, adding that efforts by his outfit and its partners to facilitate development of the child would be meaningless unless they enrolled. He said Plan Ghana was careful in the selection of the beneficiaries of the scheme to prevent children of the rich from hijacking it. He however cautioned parents against using the scheme as an opportunity to shirk their responsibilities towards their children.