Australian High Commissioner in Ghana, Ms. Joanna Adamson
Ms. Joanna Adamson, Australian High Commissioner in Ghana, has lauded the success of the Australian Awards Scholarship introduced into the country in 2010, and the sterling contributions of the alumni towards national development.
“The Australian government is very pleased with the success of the awards scholarship programme in Ghana,” said Ms. Adamson, describing the scholarship awards as “an investment in the development of Ghanaian leaders and the future of Ghana itself.”
More than 180 Ghanaians have studied in Australia under the programme since its inception, while 39 students are currently studying at the post-graduate level.
Welcoming 30 Ghanaians from the awards studies at her residence on Tuesday, the High Commissioner said: “we are keen to keep in touch with everyone who has studied in Australia, both through the awards programme and outside it.”
She said the Commission also recognized the contribution of those people, who self-financed their studies in Australia, and would do its best to locate them.
“We know that there are some Ghanaians who received Australian scholarships some time ago, or have self-financed their study.
We have done our best to find some of these people,” she said.
The awards programme is Australia’s prestigious international scholarships programme, targeting committed people ready to return home (country) and contribute to development.
The awards also offer short-term professional development training to the public, private sectors and civil society.
Ms. Adamson announced the opening of the next round of applications for the awards in September, and expressed the desire for more women and persons with disabilities to apply.
She said: “we recognize women’s education and leadership is critical to longer term development.
Women and those from disadvantaged groups such as the disabled are particularly encouraged to apply.”
This month marks the 10th anniversary of the re-opening of the Australian High Commission in Ghana.
Australia fist opened its commission here in 1957, shortly after Ghana’s independence, but closed it down in 1985, during Ghana’s hard years, and conducted its business from the high commission in Lagos Nigeria before reopening here in Ghana again.
The commissioner retorted: “we have been friends for a very long time, and our relationship continues to broaden and deepen as the years go by. The links built through our alumni are a big part of this.”
The official Ghana-Australia alumni website was launched with a call on members to let their contributions impact on the lives of ordinary people.
Source: GNA
