Benjamin Darko, the brilliant Secondary School graduate whose impressive 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) result went viral online, has been offered a full educational scholarship by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to pursue Chemical Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Announcing the scholarship package during a meeting with Darko and his family at the office of the Vice Chancellor (VC) of KNUST on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, the Executive Director of the GNPC Foundation, Dr. Dominic Eduah, said the Education & Training unit of the Foundation is offering support to restore young Darko’s hopes and has, in collaboration with its educational partners, initiated steps to facilitate his successful admission in the University’s next enrolment window.
Despite scoring 5As and 3Bs, the intelligent 21-year-old former Science student at Presbyterian Senior Secondary School (PRESEC), Legon, has had his desire to pursue a Medical-science-related course at the University hindered by a lack of financial support.
In order to keep himself busy and give his dreams a chance, the boy from Bepowase, a farming community in Akuapim North Municipality of the Eastern Region, has since 2021 taken on several menial jobs in a rather daunting bid to save for his education.
Currently working as a fuel attendant at a GOIL station in Kumasi, Darko’s predicament gained national attention after his story was highlighted in a GHOne news report that went viral on social media.
“At GNPC Foundation, we understand the challenges of many parents and students seeking advancements in education amidst tight financial constraints and we are happy to play the role of facilitating the realization of many dreams through our scholarships and other educational intervention programmes,” Dr. Eduah commented.
Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, VC of KNUST, expressed delight in the opportunity to contribute to the molding of Benjamin Darko when he begins his KNUST journey. She congratulated him and advised him to stay disciplined.
Excited about the prospects of finally getting his education back on track, Benjamin thanked GNPC for contributing to supporting his future and assured himself of doing his best.
