The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, will arrive in Accra Tuesday for an official visit to Ghana.
Prince Edward is the youngest child of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. A statement issued by the British High Commission said while in the country, Prince Edward would meet senior Ghanaian figures including President John Dramani Mahama and Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye.
It said the Earl and President Mahama would together present the Head of State Awards to young Ghanaians who have successfully participated in the scheme over the past few years.
It said he would also meet some Ghanaian youth groups including the Head of State Awards Military cadets, Chevening Scholars and some young Ghanaians who were successfully chosen as Queen’s Young Leaders.
“The Earl’s visit, as well as our Chevening Scholarship Scheme and The Queen’s Young Leaders Awards, signifies the importance that the UK places on young Ghanaians. Their active involvement is key to Ghana’s continued development. Ghana’s future depends on these young people and I am very proud to be working alongside so many of them, in many different fields,” it said.
The statement said the visit of the Earl, which ends on May 26, 2016, formed part of his role with The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Scheme.
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme is associated with the Head of State Awards Scheme in Ghana. The Earl has been deeply committed to the work of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award since undertaking his own award in 1986,” it explained.
It said The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was about empowering young people, adding that this scheme was available to all 14-24 year olds and was the world’s leading youth achievement award.
“It equips those who participate for life regardless of their background, culture, physical ability, skills and interests. Doing the award is a personal challenge and not a competition against others; it pushes young people to their personal limits and recognises their achievements consistently,” it said adding Selma Baba, a staff at the British High Commission had completed the Head of State Award.
Other achievers
The statement mentioned Bernard Avle of Citi FM and Sammy Bartels as some of those who have benefitted from the prestigious Chevening Scholarships Award.
“Elsewhere, Paul-Miki Akpabile, the 2015 winner of Her Majesty the Queen’s Young Leader Award, has used his company, Kadi Energy, to provide reliable energy solutions to communities who cannot afford consistent energy supplies; and there is Kwabena Danso of Boomers International Ltd whose innovative bamboo bikes are now being exported across Europe. Young, innovative and creative Ghanaians making a difference to the lives of their fellow citizens,” it added.
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