The Lebanese Community in Ghana has awarded full scholarships to 26 students at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), as part of its ongoing support for education in the country.

The beneficiaries include four postgraduate students, 12 undergraduate journalism students, four public relations students, four film and television students, and two translation students.

A ceremony was held to present the awards, with dignitaries in attendance including the Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Maher Kheir; Vice-Chancellor of UniMAC, Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah; Acting Registrar, Mrs. Patience Sowah; Dean of Students, Dr. Rodalina Martey; Director of Finance, Mr. Francis Obeng; Head of Public Affairs, Mrs. Nana Efua Rockson; faculty deans, senior university staff, and a representative of the Lebanese Community, Mr. Naaman Ashkar.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Kheir emphasised the importance of nurturing a culture that supports youth development.

“Let us continue to build a culture that celebrates excellence, encourages creativity, and opens doors for every young dreamer,” he said.

He commended the students for their hard work and dedication, stating, “You truly deserve this moment. Let it inspire you to go even further, to challenge conventions, to innovate boldly, and to uplift others as you rise.”

“The scholarship is a vote of confidence, a recognition of hard work, and a stepping stone to bigger possibilities. It says: We believe in you. We are investing in your future,” he added.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Opoku Mensah expressed gratitude to the Lebanese Community and urged the beneficiaries to maintain academic discipline and good character.

“We do not take this support for granted. Study hard and let your contribution impact society positively,” he said.

One of the recipients, Ms. Nancy Adjorkor Oman, expressed appreciation on behalf of the students.

“The scholarship has eased the financial burden on our families and boosted our academic performance. We will work hard to justify the confidence reposed in us,” she said.

Mr. Naaman Ashkar, representing the Lebanese Community, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ghanaian students and said the scholarship programme would continue to expand.

The scholarship scheme began in 2013, initially supporting journalism and law students. It has since expanded to include other disciplines such as public relations, translation, and film and television.

Institutions that benefit from the programme include UniMAC, the University of Ghana, the Ghana School of Law, and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Ambassador Kheir presented a cheque for GHC124,425 to cover the scholarships for the 26 students.

Since its inception, the Lebanese Scholarship Programme has supported over 600 Ghanaian students.