A Meeting Of Great Minds
For the first time, beneficiaries of the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan got together to network and initiate a Commonwealth Alumni Association. The Ghana Commonwealth Alumni Reception was held on 12 November 2014 at the British Council Garden, Ghana.
The event was attended by over 60 Commonwealth beneficiaries from as far back as 1975 to 2011. Many have risen through the ranks to become Professors and Doctors - academic and medical - while others hold prestigious positions in their respective careers and professions. Also present were Mr. Stephen Takyi and Mr. Setor Adanuvor; representatives from the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, Liliana Biglou; Country Director, British Council Ghana, Bridget Konadu-Gyamfi; Head of Programmes, British Council Ghana and Chiamaka Ndika; Regional Coordinator, West Africa CSFP.
The programme started at 6pm with a cocktail and activities to facilitate networking. Given two man-sized maps of the UK and Ghana, participants used color-coded dots to indicate their type of award (scholarship or fellowship), their places of study and where they come from. They were also encouraged to suggest what the objectives of the alumni network should be and activities they can undertake when it is formed. The Country director welcomed the guests and encouraged maximum participation and involvement in all the activities. According to Sandra Barimah, Projects Manager,
"The Purpose of the occasion is to create a platform for former colleagues to reconnect and make new contacts to initiate an alumni network".
Some told of their career progression post-award, work done in other African countries and professional achievements.
Saadia Bobtoya (2007 Commonwealth Scholar from Ghana, MSc Environmental Management,University of Nottingham)commented, “It was a great experience meeting other scholars and fellows who benefited from this life-changing opportunity”.
If you have ever benefited from the commonwealth scholarship, this is a network you wouldn't want to miss. Please contact us for more information.