The Bii-Kunuto Educational Fund has disbursed GH¢200,000 to support 105 needy but brilliant students from Gonjaland as part of its educational assistance programme for the year.
The brief disbursement ceremony took place at the Jakpa Palace on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Mr. Mankir Ibn Malik, spokesperson to the Bii-Kunuto Educational Fund and Public Relations Officer for the Gonjaland Youth Association, said the initiative was established in 2023 under the leadership of His Royal Majesty, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I).
He said the initiative was established in response to concerns that poverty continues to prevent many brilliant young people from pursuing their educational aspirations.
According to him, the fund seeks to ensure that brilliant students from Gonjaland are given the necessary support to pursue their education regardless of their financial circumstances.
Mr. Ibn Malik disclosed that in 2024, the fund supported more than 60 students with GH¢300,000.
He said the fund also established a Guidance and Counselling Project at Damongo Senior High School in 2025, which has since been completed and commissioned.
He added that the fund also supported three students from Gonjaland who are currently studying medicine in China and are expected to return to Ghana after completing their studies to contribute their professional expertise to the development of Gonjaland.
Mr. Ibn Malik explained that for this year’s intervention, the fund received more than 200 applications from students seeking assistance.
He said a committee was subsequently established to interview applicants and identify students who were genuinely needy and academically promising.
The committee, after its assessment, selected 105 students to benefit from the current disbursement, with GH¢200,000 committed to the initiative.
Mr. Ibn Malik said the management trusted the committee to undertake the selection process diligently and independently, stressing that the beneficiaries were not selected based on their relationship with the royal family.
He said the committee also considered the various programmes being pursued by the applicants and the tertiary institutions they attend.
The beneficiaries include students pursuing programmes in medicine, law, health-related fields, education and other disciplines, as well as some postgraduate students, including those pursuing PhD programmes.
He further highlighted the fund’s decision to support students pursuing Gonja Language studies at the tertiary level.
According to him, the initiative follows concerns over the declining number of young people applying to study Gonja Language, which he said could have implications for the preservation and promotion of the Gonja language and culture.
Mr. Ibn Malik said the fund would therefore support students who choose to study the language, with a significant number of beneficiaries on this year’s list coming from the Gonja Language programme.
He described the latest intervention as one of several initiatives being undertaken by His Royal Majesty to contribute to education and human capital development in Gonjaland.
On his part, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I) Appeals for Commitment from Beneficiaries and also urged the beneficiaries to take their studies seriously and make good use of the opportunity provided through the educational support.
He particularly encouraged the female beneficiaries to remain focused on their education and work towards achieving their academic and professional aspirations.
The Yagbonwura also urged the beneficiaries, after becoming successful in the future, to remember the less privileged and extend a helping hand to other needy students who may find themselves in similar circumstances.
He further appealed to individuals and institutions who made financial commitments towards the Bii-Kunuto Educational Fund but have not yet fulfilled their pledges to honour them.
He said fulfilling the outstanding commitments would help strengthen the fund and enable it to support more students in Gonjaland.
A continuing law student at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Issah Alfred Eunice, has expressed gratitude to the Bii-Kunuto Educational Fund for supporting her education.
Speaking after receiving the scholarship support, Ms. Eunice said the assistance would go a long way towards meeting her tuition, hostel fees and other educational expenses.
She disclosed that she lost her father early last year and has since been relying on the limited resources left by her late father to support her education.
According to her, the scholarship has therefore come at an important time and will help her continue pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer.
Ms. Eunice pledged to give back to society when she is in a position to do so, particularly by contributing to the development of Gonjaland.
She said many students, especially those studying in urban areas such as Accra, face significant financial challenges due to the high cost of education and accommodation.
Ms. Eunice explained that students who are unable to secure university accommodation may have to pay substantial amounts for private hostels, placing additional financial pressure on families already struggling to pay tuition and other academic expenses.
She noted that the situation can be particularly difficult for students from single-parent households or families whose parents depend on farming and other low-income activities for their livelihoods.
The beneficiary therefore appealed to non-governmental organizations, private institutions, individuals and other development partners to support the Bii-Kunuto Educational Fund so that more students can benefit.
She said some young people remain at home despite having the academic ability to pursue higher education, simply because they lack the financial resources to do so.
Ms. Eunice stressed that providing educational support to such students would not only transform individual lives but also contribute to the development of communities and society as a whole.
She expressed hope that more organizations and individuals would support the Bii-Kunuto Educational Fund to enable it to reach more students facing financial difficulties.
Ms. Eunice concluded by emphasizing that educational assistance should be viewed not merely as support for individuals, but as an investment in the wider society.
