The 4th edition of the Duamenefa Foundation’s COSTHETA Educational Support Fund Award Ceremony, sponsored by Dr. David Kotei Nutakor, the Country Director of the Duamenefa Foundation in California, USA, in memory of his late parents, Leonard Besa Gbede Nutakor and Sabina Atsemuyo Evortepe took place at the Dzodze Penyi Senior High School Assembly Auditorium.
2024 AWARD WINNERS
So far, a total of 80 students from 29 different institutions nationwide have benefited from the fund. The best five performing students of the 2024 edition who scored an aggregate of 6 were given one DELL Laptop each, in addition to the cash award and certificates. Among the best five performing students is a visually impaired lady by the name, Gasu Pearl Aseye, of Adidome SHS, now studying BA LAW, at the University of Ghana Legon.
Despite her predicament, Pearl was able to score aggregate 6 to qualified to the University. Her outstanding performance has moved Dr. Kotei Nutakor to approve a Blender, in addition to the Laptop and Cash awards. Miss Gasu, in her sorrowful response claimed she has suffered stigmatization due to her visual impairment. According to Pearl, this has affected enrollment into the Senior High School, but her persistence and determination has seen her through. She says, she trusts in God and believes she was created for a purpose. She was given additional cash donations from the Duamenefa Foundation and Tsiamigah Dotsey Tessu Galeagbelime, and others who were touched by her story.
The Board of Governors of the Foundation were represented by the Executive President and CEO of Fafaa 100.3 Fm, Dzodze, Mr. Emmanuel Ketaman Evortepe, Togbi Bedie Ahadzi, Director of Security, intelligence and Surveillance, Mr. Francis Dagba, founding member and Mamaga Duamenefa I, known and called Rev. Diane Westcott, International Director of Operations and Secretary to the Board.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Togbiga Dzoku V, the Paramount Chief of Dzodze, Togbi Esso IV Divisional Chief of Dzodze Adagbledu, The Municipal Chief Executive Officer, represented by Mr. Jasper Adenyo, the Director of Education Ketu North, heads of Secondary Schools such as Mr. Isaac Kofi Dzidzienyo of Sokode Senior High School among others.
Dr. David Kotei Nutakor, the founder of the Costheta Educational Support Fund in his address states that the motivation to start this educational support fund in memory of his late parents, Leonard Besah Gbede Nutakor and Sabina Atsemuyo Evortepe, who financially supported his education is based on the fact that we all have the responsibility to liberate others if we can, so that they can become productive in society, he further states that, success is not only about titles , the awards, the recognitions and the money we have, but the joy of personal success resides in how much we contribute to society by helping family and friends to build better life for themselves and those around them.
The main objective of the COSTHETA Educational Support Fund is to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to mitigate the fallen standard of education, promote competitive studying skills as well as good moral values among students.
The list of beneficiary schools and the number of students from 2020 to 2024 are:
Ketascho – 34 students, Mawuli SHS – 11, Dzosec – 4, Sokode SHS – 3, Mist SHS – 2, Accra Academy – 2, Ideal College – 2, Adidome SHS – 2, Anseco – 2, Comboni Tech – 2, Bishop Herman – 1, Awusco -1, Awutu Winton – 1, Berekum SHS – 1, Boa Amponsem SHS – 1, Bonoman SHS -1, Dorsec SHS – 1, Kpansec SHS -1, Oboss SHS-1, Ola SHS – 1, St. Theresa SHS -1, St. Andrews SHS -1, St. James Seminary – 1, Tongor SHS – 1 , Wallahs Academy -1, Westech- 1.
The Executive President of the Foundation and CEO of Fafaa 100.3 Fm, Mr. Emmanuel Ketaman Evortepe, commended the effort of the headmasters, most especially Mr. Isaac Dzidzienyo who was the immediate past headmaster of Ketascho and the current headmaster of Sokode SHS for producing a total of 37 students out of 80 qualified students. He also praises the parents of the award-winning students and call on other relevant stakeholders to support the laudable efforts of Dr. David Kotei Nutakor towards the upliftment of the standard of education in the country.
However, Mr. Ketaman says, let us remind ourselves that “true education is beyond earning degrees, it is more than bookish knowledge. Education means inculcating moral values, positive thinking, an attitude of helping others, attitude of giving back to society and ethical values “according to him, these kinds of students are the ones able to bring changes to society.
Source: duamenefafoundation.org / news editor in chief