Earlier today, the British Council announced the recipients of the Study UK Alumni Awards 2018 in Ghana at an awarding ceremony in Accra. In total, three UK alumni in Ghana were recognised for their outstanding achievements as business professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders, and for their important contribution to strengthening collaborative ties between the UK and Ghana.
The prestigious international award celebrates UK higher education and the achievements of UK alumni all over the world. Now in its fourth year, the award received more than 1,700 applications from international UK alumni in a record 123 countries, representing more than 140 UK higher education institutions across the UK. Following in-depth interviews with a judging panel, recipients were selected for the three award categories: Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurial, and Social Impact.
The Professional Achievement Award, which recognises alumni who have distinguished themselves through exemplary leadership in their professional field, was presented to Dr Mavis Asare. Dr Mavis Asare collaborated with health agencies including Ghana AIDS Commission to conduct programmes on illness prevention and also mental health among young people in Ghana. Her programmes have increased mental health knowledge among young people in Ghana. Mavis is an alumna of Loughborough University.
The Social Impact Award, which acknowledges alumni who have made an exceptional contribution to creating positive social change, was presented to Dr Thomas Tagoe, a graduate of University of Leicester. Dr Thomas Tagoe is a Neuroscientist at the University of Ghana and Co-founder of GhScientific, an organisation focused on building capacity in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) through public engagement and outreach activities. Thomas is helping to train a new generation in and out of academia who are scientifically savvy and appreciate the impact of STEM skills in everyday life.
The Entrepreneurial Award, which highlights alumni who have played a leading role in business innovation, was presented to Percy Asare Ansah, a graduate of the University of Hull. Percy is the Chief Executive Officer of Premier Health Insurance Company which is one of the 12 licensed private health insurance companies in Ghana. From two employees in May 2011, Percy now employs 38 permanent staff and 15 sales executives. Percy has observed that University of Hull was fantastic in equipping him with the qualities he needed to manage such a business.
Alan Rutt, Country Director at the British Council in Ghana, said: “The remarkable individuals we celebrated today at the Study UK Alumni Awards in Ghana have all taken their UK education as a starting point to excel in their chosen careers and shape the world around them. This year’s awards ceremony is testimony not only to the diversity of UK alumni and their endeavours, but also to the transformative impact of a UK education.”
Ghana is the fourth country to host the awards this year and will be followed by awarding ceremonies in a further twelve countries, including Pakistan and the USA.