By Emmanuel Koffa
Sixty-eight female students attending the Grand Kru Technical College (GKTC) have benefited from financial aid from the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA) Scholarship program. The financial aid was offered through a memorandum of understanding signed between the GPFA and GKTC on January 23, 2025 at the Foundation’s head office in Margibi County. The financial aid initiative is part of collaborative efforts to promote girls’ education in Liberia.
The Acting President of GKTC, Prof. Dr. Josephus Gbala-hinnig M. Gray and the Administrative Director of GPFA, Mrs. Melvina O. Bright signed on behalf of their respective institutions.
The financial aid is funded under the Children’s Fund Financial Aid with the aim to provide emergency educational assistance to underprivileged students desirous of furthering their education. The cost of the scholarship is US$1,761,00 and is a one-time deal between GPFA and GKTC. The emergency support covers costs for registration fees for the 68 female students attending the College.
Both institutions stressed the need to pay attention to academic excellence and peace initiative that benefit the academic community and the citizens of Grand Kru and Southeast at large.
The Acting President of GKTC, Prof. Dr. Gray who spoke on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Administration of the College, expressed gratitude for the partnership and praised the Nobel Peace Laureate, Madam Leymah R. Gbowee and the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA for the financial aid to the female students.
Dr. Gray emphasized the importance of the newly established collaboration and partnership and committed GKTC to the collaboration. He noted that the scholarships will ease financial burdens for the female students who usual face difficulties in paying their registration fees.
Speaking further, Dr. Gray disclosed that the scholarship will play a pivotal role in offering economic relief, providing the female students with the means to pursue their educational goals without being weighed down by financial constraints.
Mr. David Sheik Konneh, Program Manager of the Gbowee Peace Foundation promised to extend their peace initiative through Fair play Annual Youth Camp and Book Beg Drive to Grand Kru and Mayland counties in July.
He stressed the importance of accountability, transparency and academic excellence in the awarding of the scholarship.
The Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa was founded in 2012 by Nobel Peace Laureate, Madame Leymah R. Gbowee, to provide outstanding education and leadership opportunities to women and youth. GPFA has three program areas: Education for Peace and Development (EPAD), Transformative, Leadership Initiatives (TLI) and driving Innovation through Community Empowerment (DICE) Under its EPAD program.
