Barclays, African Leadership University scholars mark Mandela Day

Senior Management of Barclays Bank Ghana and selected Ghanaian scholars at the African Leadership University (ALU) have paid a courtesy call on the South African Deputy High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Thapelo Madumane, to mark this year’s Nelson Mandela Day.

The courtesy call created a platform for the young leaders and the South African High Commissioner to share views on education and leadership in Africa which were two areas of passion for Mr Mandela, also known as Madiba.

The parent company of Barclays Ghana, Absa Group, is a key sponsor of ALU’s Mandela Centennial Scholarship Programme which was established in partnership with the Graca Machel Trust and the Mandela Institute of Development Studies (MINDS) with the aim to empower young leaders in Africa.

As part of the commitment to the provision of quality education across the continent, Absa Group Limited has been supporting 50 of the 100 fully funded Bachelors degree scholarships with ALU in South Africa.

Remarks

In her remarks, the Marketing and Corporate Relations Director at Barclays Bank of Ghana, Nana Essilfuah Boison, indicated that 10 Ghanaian students were benefitting from the three-and-a-half-year scholarship programme, worth approximately $350,000 (about GH¢1.7 million).

“This is to give our youth the opportunity to become part of the next generation of African leaders, continuing in the spirit of Madiba’s legacy,” Nana Boison added.

On Barclays Ghana’s transition to Absa early next year, Nana Boison said youth development in Africa and especially Ghana would continue to be a key priority for the bank, saying “We are committed to equipping the youth with knowledge and skills in order for them to play an active role in society as upcoming leaders.”

High Commission

For his part, the Deputy South African High Commissioner encouraged the students to live by the core values and legacies of Nelson Mandela and contribute to the development of Africa by taking up responsibilities to transform societies.

“Emulate the life and legacies of Madiba and do things differently in a positive way that will bring transformation and development across the continent,” Mr Madumane said.

On behalf of colleague ALU scholars, Ms Agnes Fusese, gave highlights of their first year experience in ALU under the Nelson Mandela Centennial Scholarship and the impact it has had on their personal lives so far and thanked the deputy high commissioner for his words of encouragement.

She also promised that they would take full advantage of the scholarship to become better future leaders and live by the ideals and legacies of Nelson Mandela.

The beneficiaries have completed their first year of study and are back in Ghana for an internship programme with Barclays Bank Ghana.