Hon. Baba Jamal and MountCrest University College Explore 50/50 Scholarship Initiative for Ayawaso East Students

Kanda, Thursday, 31st July 2026 – The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Hon. Baba Jamal M.A., Esq., paid a working visit to MountCrest University College to strengthen collaboration between the constituency and one of Ghana's leading private institutions of higher learning, with discussions centred on expanding educational opportunities for young people through a proposed scholarship initiative. The Member of Parliament and his delegation were warmly received by the Founder of the University, Mr. Kwaku Ansa-Asare, the Rector, Prof. Helen Yitah, the Registrar, Mrs. Maurin Efua Odai, the immediate past Rector and members of the University's Management. Hon. Baba Jamal was accompanied by the Head of Research, Mr. Zenifar Bernard; MP Aide, Hon. Baba Alhaji; Ward Coordinator, Mr. Daro; Constituency Youth Organiser, Hajia Mariam Aminu; MP Health Coordinator, Mr. Musah Ali; MP Education Coordinator, Ms. Faisa; and other constituency executives. Welcoming the delegation, Founder Mr. Kwaku Ansa-Asare described the visit as historic, noting that although MountCrest University College has operated from Kanda since 2011, it was the first official visit by a Member of Parliament to the institution. He expressed his delight at the visit and recalled meeting Hon. Baba Jamal during the latter stages of his parliamentary campaign. The Founder explained that the University has a long-standing tradition of supporting disadvantaged students through scholarship programmes. He cited a previous collaboration with the Office of the National Chief Imam, under which the University offered full scholarships to students from underserved communities. Expressing concern about the vulnerability of many young people during election years, Mr. Ansa-Asare observed that unemployed youth are often drawn into political violence and other social vices. He expressed confidence that expanding access to higher education would provide a more meaningful pathway for empowering young people and reducing their vulnerability. As part of this commitment, MountCrest University College announced its intention to introduce a 50/50 Scholarship Initiative for students from Ayawaso East. Under the proposal, the University will provide a 50 percent tuition scholarship for eligible applicants pursuing programmes in Law and Public Health, with discussions ongoing on the implementation framework and how the remaining support will be mobilised to make the programme accessible to deserving beneficiaries. The immediate past Rector explained that the initiative builds on similar educational partnerships the University has successfully undertaken with institutions such as the Akuapem Traditional Council and the Yaa Naa, adding that Ayawaso East had been selected as the first parliamentary constituency to benefit from the programme. In his remarks, Hon. Baba Jamal expressed profound appreciation to the University for extending such a significant opportunity to the youth of Ayawaso East. He described education as the most powerful instrument for transforming communities and creating lasting opportunities for future generations. The MP noted that Ayawaso East is a constituency of contrasts, comprising both affluent communities and deprived neighbourhoods. He explained that despite hosting numerous national institutions and earning the nickname "Star Constituency," the area is too often associated with drug abuse, crime and violence. He emphasised that his vision is to change this narrative by investing in education, skills development and youth empowerment. Hon. Baba Jamal welcomed the University's decision to include Law and Public Health among the initial programmes and expressed the hope that the scholarship initiative would eventually be expanded to cover additional academic disciplines. He assured the University's Management that the constituency would also play its part in ensuring the success of the initiative. Drawing inspiration from both the Holy Qur'an and the Bible, the Member of Parliament emphasised the importance of gratitude and partnership, noting that societies achieve greater progress when individuals and institutions work together for the common good. He thanked the University's leadership for their generosity and reaffirmed his commitment to building a strong and lasting relationship with the institution. The Rector, Prof. Helen Yitah, expressed appreciation to Hon. Baba Jamal for honouring the University's invitation so promptly. She disclosed that although Management had only visited the Member of Parliament's office the previous week to discuss the proposal, he had quickly arranged the visit, demonstrating his commitment to educational development within the constituency. She further informed the meeting that the University's Management was finalising the operational framework for the proposed scholarship scheme, after which details regarding eligibility, applications and beneficiary selection would be officially announced. Beyond the scholarship initiative, the meeting explored opportunities for broader community collaboration. Mr. Kwaku Ansa-Asare proposed a monthly environmental sanitation exercise involving MountCrest University College, the Office of the Member of Parliament and the University's Student Representative Council (SRC) as part of a shared Corporate Social Responsibility programme to improve sanitation within Ayawaso East. As a symbolic gesture of the growing partnership between the University and the constituency, the Founder requested that a portrait of Hon. Baba Jamal be displayed at the institution. He further proposed that future Members of Parliament for Ayawaso East should also have their photographs displayed, creating a lasting record of collaboration between the University and the constituency. The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their shared commitment to expanding educational opportunities, empowering young people through higher education and building a strategic partnership that will contribute to the long-term development of Ayawaso East. The proposed 50/50 Scholarship Initiative represents a significant step towards improving access to tertiary education for deserving students and reflects the shared vision of MountCrest University College and the Office of the Member of Parliament to invest in the future of the youth through education and human capital development.