The Executive President of the Duamenefa Foundation and CEO of Fafaa 100.3 Fm, Mr. Emmanuel Ketaman Evortepe has clarified the eligibility criteria for the Costheta Educational Support Fund
According to him, the educational support fund is an initiative of Dr. David Kotei Nutakor, also known as , Togbi Dunenyo I, a geotechnical engineer based in the US state of California. Dr. Nutakor decided to use the Duamenefa Foundation as a pivot to launch his long thought of dream, the Costheta Educational Support Fund for brilliant but needy Christian students way back in 2019, when Mr. Ketaman paid a working visit to California in these regards.
According to him, the Fund was established purposely to assist brilliant but needy Christian students who pass their Senior High School (SHS) examinations with a score card between aggregate six to ten. In addition to academic excellence, beneficiaries must be able to set good moral standards whiles in school, in the home and churches. These institutions must testify to the good morals of the eligible candidate. These are the morals inculcated in the sponsor, Dr. Nutakor, by his late parents, hence he also wish to build and support a society that could produce these caliber of students.
Dr. David Kotei Nutakor has therefore dedicated the award scheme in blessed memory of his late parents, Mr. Leonard Gbede Nutakor and Madam. Sabina Atsemuyo Evortepe, who groomed him in line with the aforementioned Christian principles.
The Fund has been in existence for about six years now. Each year, twenty (20) qualified students benefit from the initiative. Since its establishment, a total of 120 students from various schools across Ghana have received support in the form of cash assistance, laptops, and other essential educational materials to aid their academic pursuits.
In recent times, some members of the public have questioned why the Fund is limited to Christian students. Management has explained that every scholarship scheme is guided by the vision and objectives of its founders. As a privately sponsored initiative, the Fund operates according to the values and intentions of its sponsors.
Mr. Ketaman Evortepe, urged the public to appreciate the humanitarian intent behind the initiative. He emphasized that the Duamenefa Foundation remains open to collaborating with individuals and organizations willing to support members of various communities in diverse ways.
He further stated that the Duamenefa Foundation supports people through different interventions such as, skills empowerment, donation of equipments, support for single parents, renovation and supply of hospital equipments, regardless of religious affiliation or background.
According to him, if an individual chooses to establish a support scheme targeted at a specific religious group, there is nothing wrong with that. Rather, such efforts should be appreciated because they contribute to humanitarian service and community development.
Mr. Evortepe, again, expressed profound appreciation to Mr. David Kotei Nutakor, also known as Torgbui Dunenyo I, and his wife, Mama Dunenyo I, for initiating and sponsoring the Fund. He commended them for their vision, generosity, and dedication to supporting qualified students, describing the initiative as a noble effort that will positively impact many young lives for generations to come.
Beyond this particular initiative, education stakeholders continue to highlight the growing financial challenges facing many brilliant students across the country. Although access to education has improved over the years, the cost of tertiary education, learning materials, accommodation, and technology remains a major burden for many families.
Observers note that private educational support schemes such as the Costheta Educational Support Fund play a complementary role to government efforts by bridging financial gaps and motivating academic excellence among students. These interventions not only provide financial relief but also inspire young people to strive for higher academic achievement.
Community leaders have therefore encouraged more individuals, philanthropists, and corporate bodies to establish similar initiatives to support students in various regions and communities. They believe that collective responsibility and targeted support programs can significantly reduce dropout rates and help nurture future leaders for national development.
Education remains a shared responsibility, and the Costheta Educational Support Fund continues to play its role in empowering academically excellent students to pursue higher education and become responsible leaders in society.
By Hutor Dziwornu,Fafaa fm, Dzodze
Edited by: Isabella Emmanuella Evortepe