Brilliant-but-needy fuel attendant gets full GNPC scholarship to study at KNUST

The brilliant Secondary School graduate whose impressive 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) result went viral online has been offered a full educational scholarship by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

Benjamin Darko will pursue Chemical Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST).

The announcement of the scholarship package was during a meeting with Darko and his family at the office of the Vice Chancellor (VC) of KNUST, the Executive Director of the GNPC Foundation, Dr Dominic Eduah.

Mr Eduah said the Education and Training unit of the Foundation is offering the support to restore young Mr Darko’s hopes.

He added that in collaboration with its educational partners, it has initiated steps to facilitate his successful admission in the University’s next enrolment window.

Despite scoring 5A’s and 3Bs, the intelligent 21-year-old former Science student at Presbyterian Senior Secondary School (PRESEC) – Legon has had his desire to pursue a Medical-Science related course at the University hindered by the lack of financial support.

In keeping himself busy and to give his dreams a chance, the boy from Bepowase, a farming community in Akuapim North Municipality of the Eastern Region, has since 2021 taken to several menial jobs in a rather daunting bid to save for his education.

Currently working as a fuel attendant at a GOIL station in Kumasi, Mr Darko’s predicament gained national attention after a GHOne news report went viral on social media.

“At GNPC Foundation, we understand the challenges of many parents and students seeking advancements in education amidst tight financial constraints and we are happy to play the role of facilitating the realisation of many dreams through our scholarships and other educational intervention programmes,” Dr. Eduah said.

Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, VC of KNUST, expressed delight in the opportunity to contribute to the moulding of Benjamin Darko when he begins his KNUST journey.

She congratulated him and advised him to stay disciplined. Excited about the prospect of finally getting his education back on track, Benjamin thanked GNPC for contributing to supporting his future and assured him to do his best.