To the Glory of God and Country and in our quest to ensure that we reward the deserving, we had a successful review summit at UPSA on this day Saturday 31st 2015 at 10:00am.

It was a general observation by participants that NSA is a good initiative and must continue to award the deserving. The event brought together students, student leaders, corporate Ghana, media, and opinion leaders together to recognise the contributions being made in the forward March of education in Ghana.

It also offered a platform for student artist to showcase their talent and most participants were thrilled with the poetry by Gombilla the poet. and commended the team for putting together such an important event.

We also discussed among other things

The General overview of NSA 2015
The Mode of nomination, Selection and event management.
Review of categories and proposed substantial modifications
Discussed the roadmap for NSA 2016 among other things.


Participants  also mentioned that there were a few operational challenges like the absence of corporate sponsors for such a huge event among other things and suggested that more efforts be made in that direction to raise funds so that winners will have a huge prices to take home in addition to their plaques and citations.

The NSA Team expressed the joy of working together for a successful NSA 2015 and expressed the readiness to ensure an eventful NSA 2016.

The Executive Director gave his concluding remarks by thanking all and sundry for the contributions and the sacrifices that made the awards a success; he also Congratulated all winners, urged them to continue to live up to the expectation as winners, and assured participants of the readiness of his outfit for a successful NSA 2016.

Signed

LUKE EBIS
Admin Secretary
NSA GHANA
0578850241

P.D. ORCHILL
Executive Director
NSA GHANA
0203244855

www.nsaghana.org
www.nsaghana.blogspot.com

We wish to use this medium to invite all and sundry to our maiden review summit on the NSA 2015 on SATURDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2015 @ 10am Prompt at the UPSA.

AGENDA
 1. General overview of NSA 2015
 2. Mode of nomination, Selection and event management.
 3. Review of categories and the need to add on or reduce
 4. Inputs for NSA 2016
 5. AOB

Item 13 will be available for only those who register at least a day before the summit. For registration, simply whatsApp or text your full name, institution, and phone number to 0203244855.

Thanks for your participation.

Signed

P.D. ORCHILL
Executive Director
NSA GHANA
0203244855
www.nsaghana.org
Humbled, dumbfounded and mesmerized are a few of the words to describe my gratitude for the unprecedented support shown by all and sundry towards the recent accolade bestowed on me as the NATIONAL STUDENT ACTIVIST OF THE YEAR. Frankly, this isn't an award won with my strength. However, the unflinching determination and priceless support of friends, course mates and above all YOU was key in achieving this feat.

Special thanks to comrades and fellow nominees Ernesto Yeboah of the CPP, Mikdad Mohammed of Legon, Alagskomah Eugene Savio of KNUST and Mohammed Patterson of UPSA. Your sacrifice and devotion towards the ordinary Ghanaian student is without doubt priceless. Indeed, I'm proud that l was nominated in the same category with you. This isn't a victory for me, it is a victory for us all. Together as activists, we can help end the daily mushrooming of rape and robbery at some campuses, prevent the criminal attempt to force unemployed university students into paying utility bills and most importantly create a formidable platform to defend the interest of Ghanaian students at all times.

Again, a special thank you to Mr. Eli Nyaunu- a brother,  friend and course mate I had at the university. Trust me, he was instrumental towards this achievement. A friend in need is a friend indeed. My appreciation also goes to Dr Kwame Afriyie, Dr Peter Twumasi of KNUST and all my numerous readers, course mates and followers on various social media platforms. A big thank you to the award organisers for this honour.



Above all, special thanks to that wonderful lady who gives me all the time in the world to read, research and carry out my activism cushioned towards the common good of the Ghanaian student. Nina Spio Quansah, you are the valuable gold every man would like to mine. Thanks for the awesome support and memories.




POLITICAL MICHAEL KWADWO NKETIAH

(NATIONAL STUDENT ACTIVIST OF THE YEAR. )


The maiden edition of the National Students Awards 2015 on the night of 17/10/2015 saw lots of students and students activist honored for their immense contribution to the students front.
Among these award winners were University of Ghana Students, halls and groups.

✴ Davis Ohene Fobi winning the MOST OUTSTANDING SRC PRESIDENT
✴Richmond Asare Tinkaro being awarded THE MOST OUTSTANDING LOCAL USAG PRESIDENT
✴Davis Ohene Fobi and
Raymond K. Ayilu amongst the BIG SIX outstanding student leaders.
✴Mensah Sarbah Hall won the  HALL OF RESIDENCE FOR THE YEAR (MIXED CATEGORY)
✴ No Yawa also won the CAMPUS GROUP OF THE YEAR.
✴Theophilus Sackie THE MOST OUTSTANDING SPEAKER OF CAMPUS PARLIAMENT

And all those 2 ho won Meritorious Service Awards.

Visit nsaghana.blogspot.com or www.nsaghana.org for the complete list of awardees.

The Students Representative Council of University of Ghana want to use this opportunity to congratulate the organizers for a good work done. And to all the award winners we say congratulations.
To the other nominees, we say better luck next time.

Signed.

Richmond Asare Tinkaro
Local NUGS President/ External Affairs head.
(0543253243)

Felicia Agyei
SRC Secretary.

For more information

Contact:
Nathaniel Godfred Amoako (0246738798)
KWESI PAUL AJIRO (0241747384)
Joseph Adjei Darkwah (0554153662)

Email- ugsrc2015@gmail.com Visit us on Facebook: UgSrc2015/2016
Twitter @ug_src

© Issued by the Public Relations Office Of UG SRC.



1. THE MOST OUTSTANDING LOCAL USAG PRESIDENT: Richmond Asare Tinkaro (UG)

2. THE MOST OUTSTANDING LOCAL GUPS PRESIDENT: Bismark Gyamfi (GSSM )

3. MOST OUTSTANDING PUSAG LOCAL PRESIDENT : Isaac Newton (ZUC)

4. MOST OUTSTANDING LOCAL GRASAG PRESIDENT :Eric Kwabena Yeboah (UCC)

5. MOST OUTSTANDING LOCAL NUGS PRESIDENT : Evelyn Mutinta Sappor (KNUST)

6. MOST OUTSTANDING SRC SECRETARY: Anita Ama Quansah (GIMPA)

7. MOST INSPIRING STUDENT LEADER: Felix OSafo

8. MOST OUTSTANDING FOREIGN STUDENT OF THE YEAR (MALE) :Robert Pokolo Brown (GIMPA)

9. MOST OUTSTANDING FOREIGN STUDENT FOR THE YEAR (FEMALE): Isioma Ogbuagu Mariam, (Garden City Uni. College)

10. DISTINGUISHED STUDENTS IN FILMING: Boakye Cosmos (UEW)

11. STUDENT AUTHOR OF THE YEAR: Sylvanus Bedzrah "THE BLOODY INGRATE" (Betrayal of Trust) (UPSA)

12. MOST PROMISING FEMALE STUDENT OF THE YEAR: Perpetual Lomokie Akwada (MUCG)

13. MOST PROMISING MALE STUDENT OF THE YEAR: Paul Gyan (UDS - Nyankpala)

14. STUDENT CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE YEAR: Tonny Nyarko (KNUST)

15. MOST INNOVATIVE STUDENT OF THE YEAR : Benjamin Panlogo-Logodam (ZUC)

16. OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADERS OF THE YEAR ALSO KNOWN AS THE BIG SIX (6)

1) Mohammed Adams Sukparu

2) Davis Ohene Fobi (UG)  

3) Clement Yeboah (CY) GIMPA

4) Rejoice Akrashie

5) Raymond K. Ayilu (UG)

6) Henry Nkosuo Boakye (UEW)

17. MOST POPULAR STUDENT LEADER OF THE YEAR: Clement Yeboah, CY (GIMPA)

18. MOST OUTSTANDING SPEAKER OF CAMPUS PARLIAMENT: Theophilus Sackie (GRASAG UG)

19. MOST INFLUENTIAL FEMALE STUDENT : Mrs. Princess Tina Alomele

20. MOST INFLUENTIAL STUDENT :Boye Nii-Lantey Williams

21. STUDENT ACTIVIST OF THE YEAR: Michael Kwadwo Mketiah (KNUST)

22. STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR: Mr. Emmanuel Okesson (GIMPA)

23. MOST OUTSTANDING SRC PRESIDENT: Davis Ohene Fobi (UG)

24. STUDENT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARD: Francisca Oteng Mensah (KNUST)

25. CAMPUS GROUP OF THE YEAR: No YAWA (UG)

26. HALL OF RESIDENCE FOR THE YEAR (MIXED CATEGORY): Mensah Sarbah Hall

27. HALL OF RESIDENCE FOR THE YEAR (MALE CATEGORY):University Hall (KNUST)

28. HALL OF RESIDENCE FOR THE YEAR (FEMALE CATEGORY): Adehye Hall (UCC)

29. OVERALL BEST HALL OF THE YEAR: University Hall (KNUST)

30. BEST STUDENT ‘JAMA' GROUP FOR THE YEAR: Katangees

Signed
Prince David Orchill
Executive Director
NSA GHANA
0203244855
www.nsaghana.org
www.nsaghana.blogspot.com




EMMNUEL ACHEAMPONG is a student of University of Cape Coast(UCC). The burning desire to see a vibrant and united student front in UCC was the force that innitiated him into student activism.
He held various leadership positions from S.H.S to his tertiary level.

He contested some executive positions in both the SRC and Local NUGS.
He is known by the name "Temperature" on the student front, activism devoid of acrimony is what he is know for.

He is currently the Speaker of UCC student house of parliament, which is also nominated for Campus group of the year award.

A vote for him is a vote for activism devoid of acrimony and an award for him is an award for Activism of decency.

Bellow are his details

BACKGROUND

HOME TOWN
....KENYASE in the
 ASHANTI REGION

Mothe...MRS ERNESTINA OBENG ACHEAMPONG

father... MR. SETH SAMUEL OBENG ACHEAMPONG

EDUCATION

Undergraduate student( Bsc molecular biology and biotechnology), 2012 till date

Asanteman senior high school...WASSCE, 2009

Atimatim L/A experimental, BECE, 2006

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS CONTESTED

Local NUGS President 2014/2015

SRC PRO 2015/2016

POSITIONS HELD

Speaker UCCHP, 2015/2016

Member, UCCHP... 2012-2015

P.R.O. BIOSTAG, UCC 2015/2016

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER...."YOU ALONE" industry, 2015- date

Deputy electoral commisioner (BIOSTAG Elections) 2015/2016


Local Nugs Presidential aspirant, UCC 2014/2015

Course Representative( school of biological sciences), UCC 2014/2015


Deputy PRO  Asanteman senior high science club... 2008/2009


Src representative for science club(ASSAS) 2008/2009



Maame Esi Brassoh Enning,born to Mr.and Mrs. Kusi Enning at Accra. A half Fante, half ashanti by birth and I Hail from Kumasi(Amakom) Assin Fosu and Agona Swedru respectively. A methodist by religion with a high moral standard.  Had my primary education at Datus complex school (Tema community 7), junior high school at Community 8no.1 jhs also at Tema community 8. Furthered to Insaaniyya senior high school at Kasoa to read General Arts with Government,Economics,Literature and French as electives. Had my computer education at Vission one systems at Dansoman (control).

Just completed Pan African Christian University College with a bachelor of business administration degree with Human resourse management as an option.

Leadership roles:

2003/4: Deputy female prefect,,comm.8no1 Jhs.

2006/7:  Deputy female prefect, the initiator / lawyer to the students disciplinary committee Innsaaniyya Senior high school,,,,,Kasoa.

2012/14:  virtious ladies,Pan african christian university college chapter,,,organizing secretary.

2013/14:  Christian movement Fellowship (CMF),,,,,PACUC chapter,   music cordinator.

2013/14:  Pan  African Business school club of excellence (PABSCOE) women's  commissioner.

2013/15 :  Christian movement  Fellowship (CMF)  PACUC chapter: Vice president.

2014/15:  The first Female  SRC President, Pan African Christian University College.

Currently, The Private Universities Students  Association of Ghana (PUSAG) National General Secretary Elect.
[14:01, 14/10/2015] Pan african university src prez Maama Braso: My hobbies are singing,researching,listining to music and leading.


ACHIEMENTS::
1. As first deputy female prefect , Initiator  of the students disciplinary committee(JHS).
2.  As SRC President,
- Ensured a full house water supply to both male and female hostels within my first four months in office.

-  After long years of negotiations and consultation by successive governments,my team and I brought to life the formation of the international students association of Ghana (PACUC CHAPTER).

- Negotiated for the formation of the old students Alumni.

-   In the history of the university college,I am the first Female SRC PRESIDENT.

In brief,Maame Brassoh Enning is a good communicator,a team player,pays attention to details,a result oriented person with a good interpersonal relations.

I believe that service to humanity, is to God.


Am Avomo Diallo Rebecca . foreign student of Gimpa and Public Relation Officer of the International Student Association of Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)


BACKGROUND
I am 24years of age and I was born in Bolgatanga-Zaare in the Upper East Region of Ghana. I am the 9th born in a family of ten (10). I am a Christian by religion and was born into a strong catholic family.
EDUCATION
I completed my basic education at the Bolgatanga Preparatory J.H.S and proceeded to Notre Dame Seminary-Senior High School and after performing well in WASCCE, I again admission to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where I offered BSc. Development Planning.  
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS HELD
Chief Director, Save Our Women Ghana (2012-Date)
President, Coalition For Accountable Leadership (2012-2015)
Financial Secretary, Financial Secretary Queen Elizabeth II Hall (2013-2014), KNUST
President, General Arts Club (2009-2011), Notre Dame Seminary-Senior High School
President, Quiz Club (2009-2011), Notre Dame Seminary-Senior High School
President UNESCO Club (2010-2011), Notre Dame Seminary Senior High School
COMPETENCES
I am a good communicator as is evident in my submissions on radio and on TV and articulate defense of issues I advocate for. I have good interpersonal skills, presentation skills, computer skills and writing skills and above all advocacy skills. I have carved a niche for myself and with my popularity and experience, most radio stations call to ask of my opinion on probing issues. Some of these radio stations include; Tanga FM, A1 Radio, Word Fm all in Bolgatanga; Ultimate Fm, Kessben Fm, Frenz Fm, Capital Radio and Luv Fm all in Kumasi, Peace FM, Citi Fm and Radio universe all in Accra. I have also had TV audience with Metro TV, TV3 and GTV. My works have been published on the web pages of most of these radio stations and on other platforms such as modernghana.com, ghanaweb.com, graphiconline.com, spyghana.com, myjrc.com among others.
ACTIVITIES/ACHIEVEMENTS
1.      Alagskomah Eugene Savio during a press conference on 12th September, 2012 at Bolgatanga to campaign against the false accusations and subsequent abuse of women on the basis of witchcraft. The campaign led to the freeing of 30 women from the grips of local cult priestess and the arrest of 1 cult priestess by the police. It also resulted in a reduction of such cases, and as at 2015 no case of such abuse was recorded in the region (Ref: http://www.modernghana.com/news/490891/1/forced-witchcraft-confessions-woes-of-women.html ).
2.      I identified that there was a hike in teenage pregnancy in rural communities especially in communities where tertiary institutions are located (NTC & TTC) through a research I conducted to that effect. I subsequently embarked on an advocacy campaign to create the awareness and reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy. This activity yielded good fruits as there was a reduction in teenage pregnancy in such targeted communities from 37% in 2014 to 19% in 2014 (Ref:http://www.ultimate106.9.com/nursing-students-accuse-of-sexually-exploiting-and-impregnating-teenagers-9301/).


3.      Leading an advocacy campaign against same sex and abuse of human rights in respect of same sex. As such, I have sued a gay teacher who has been raping and defiling some of his pupils’ in junior high school at the Bolgatanga Circuit Court. I have also secured the services of a lawyer (Nana Akwasi Awuah) who also doubles as one of the lawyers of Yvonne Nelson’s “Dumsor must stop vigil” to help obtain justice in the case.

4.      Alagskomah Eugene Savio during a press conference in 2015 at KNUST to campaign against government’s decision to remove subsidies on utility tariffs. The campaign achieved its purpose and through the support of NUGS and other student groups’ government eventually rescinded its decision. It is worth adding that he embarked on a similar advocacy campaign in 2014 together with the then NUGS President Sammy Binfoh.

5.      I have registered 5 teenage mothers this year and taken them back to J.H.S to obtain basic education and improve their literacy abilities with the hope of them continuing to the second cycle and tertiary levels. This was done as parts of efforts in promoting my “BACK TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN” where I am encouraging teenage mothers to go back to school and at least obtain basic literacy skills.

6.      Through my NGO (Save Our Women, Ghana), I have formed 2 women groups and registered them as the Village Loans and Savings Models where these groups make savings each week and borrow at a give-away interest rate. This is based on the belief that “financial security is paramount to building stable homes”.

7.      I advocated for the refund of monies to the students of the College of Architecture and Planning, KNUST who were charged GH₵30.00 for the provision of college clothes and never received anything. The monies were subsequently refunded to each and every member of the college through a directive by the College Provost.

8.      I advocated strongly for the removal of the GH₵2.00 levy which was charged for the provision of an SRC Constitution for freshmen and which was never provided. This was done by petitioning the SRC and drawing the attention of the university administration to this issue. The advocacy achieved its intended purpose as the amount was removed.

9.      I advocated for a review of the electoral process of tertiary institutions in Ghana because of the high incidence of malpractices and litigations which engulf elections in tertiary institutions (Ref: http://www.ugfile.com/we-must-change-the-way-we-hold-elections-on-campus-cofal-knust/).

10.  I advocated that all SRC’s in Ghana should invest a portion of their dues in profitable ventures so as to recoup more income to support capital investments and projects with high cost (Ref: http://www.spyghana.com/universities-in-ghana-asked-to-invest-dues-into-profitable-ventures/).

11.  I led an advocacy campaign to reduce the high incidence of armed robbery and rape in tertiary institutions by issuing a press release to that effect. In that release I threatened to sue any tertiary institution which recorded any security threats. Due to our massive media hype in Kumasi, some security post have been added and security beefed up in KNUST.

12.  I advocated that all student administrations in KNUST should publish their budgets, and that the KBN funds should be used for its allocated purpose (given to needy but brilliant students and students with disability) and not to be used to honor campaign promises (i.e “given to strong boys”) all in the quest to reduce corruption by student leaders (Ref: ).

Alagskomah Eugene Savio [Founder and Chief Director, Save Our Women, Ghana (SOW-Ghana); Founder and Former President, Coalition For Accountable Leadership (COFAL); Member, World Youth Alliance (WAY); Member, Global Network For Advocacy (GONFA); Global Youth Ambassador, Milky Way Youth Movement].



I am Boakye Cosmos, I am currently a student of the University of Education, Winneba. I had the chance to follow some film directors to learn some stuffs after when I completed SHS. I am the founder of the film group 21st Century Pictures on the UEW-A campus with one feature film down(human+animated werewolf) titled Midnight in My School..https://youtu.be/PUNO_Ep9XKw and others with other universities in the Pipeline. I am the maker of the Short animated film "Seatbelt" which was made to advise our Drivers to make good use of their Seat belts..https://youtu.be/orUVLvqGwAo
I'm a 3D Animator
A Video Editor 
A Graphic Designer
A vfx Director   
Its my dream to produce good actors and actress from our Universities.
I'm proud to be a filmmaker . Thank you.

Frimpong Gilbert Assuman affectionately referred to as Kwasi Frimpong #SayItRight was born some two decades and few years ago in the Central Region town of Twifo Hemang to Min. Takyie Boafo and Deaconess Mary Quaison Boafo all of Akyem Oda. The first and only son of his parents, with three kid sisters, he began his basic school education at the Twifo Hemang Presby Primary until he moved to join his parents and the other sisters at Akyem Oda in the Eastern Region of Ghana in the early 2000s where he was enrolled at Akyem Oda St. Anthony JHS. He completed JHS in 2004 and continued to Apam Secondary School where he read Science as a program and completed in 2007.

Due to a strong innate passion to always speak for the people, he joined the Media in Ghana where he worked for Kumasi Based Angel 96.1MHz FM as the Eastern Regional Correspondent. While with Angel FM, he attended a number of capacity building workshops and seminars and also offered some short courses on Journalism until 2012 where he was admitted to the College of Languages (Ajumako) Campus of the University of Education, Winneba to read Bachelor of Arts Twi Education. This became apparent after his four year stay in the media and the passion to continue working in the media. While with Angel FM, he also became the Eastern Region Reporter for Accra based Choice 102.3MHz FM and www.ghananewsaid.com.

At the University of Education, Winneba – Ajumako Campus his desire to always speak for the people propelled him to become the only level 100 student to serve in Mr. Asuahene Emmanuel’s administration as the deputy Public Relation’s Officer of the Ajumako Hall JCRC at the time that the Ajumako Campus had no SRC and the JCRC executive doubled as SRC executive even though the Unified SRC President at the Winneba Campus of UEW appointed SRC coordinator to Ajumako Campus who closely worked hand-in-hand with the JCRC Executive.

Like a salt which cannot be missing in a food and a light which cannot be put under the table, he became one of the most critic of the SRC at Winneba and wrote the famous article “WHY UEW SRC IS AN ILLEGALITY WITHOUT AJUMAKO SRC?” An article which arguably started the debate for the ‘autonomy’ of the Ajumako Campus as far as students’ leadership is concerned. To complement his wish of always speaking for the people, he led the establishment of the Student Bar Association on the campus (You can read “The SBA at Ajumako, Then, Now and the Future”)
He also spearheaded the establishment of the Ajumako Campus branch of the Eastern Region Students’ Association (ERSA) and again together with the SRC council attorney started student parliament on the campus.

When the ‘autonomy’ was finally given to the Ajumako Campus, he became the first local NUGS President of the campus. As a local NUGS president, he built his work on three thematic areas.
·         Build the Capacity of Students on the Ajumako Campus
·         Put Ajumako Campus which ‘nobody’ seemed to know about in the lime light
·         Strengthen the democratic institutions on the campus.
His enormous achievements as a Local NUGS president of an infant campus like the Ajumako Campus are there for all to see and he believes that the good students of the Campus are and will continue to be the best judges of his administration.

He is a talented writer and has two books to his credit (yet to be published)
·         Mining Curse
·         Nipamp3hia Amanehunu -The woes of Nipamp3hia(Human hate poverty).
He has several articles to his credit which have been published on several online portals, Newspapers and Social Media. Popular among his write ups are, ‘A Slave in my house, the secret behind Ghana’s Poverty’: An article he wrote to pooh-pooh Ghana’s Mining and Minerals laws, ‘Babies Offspringing Babies’, ‘a written documentary on teenage pregnancy, the Politician and the ‘Ghanaian Child in the scorching Sun’, ‘After the chase, what’s next’ to mention a few.

He believes that most Ghanaians have a lot that needs to be said for them and will forever avail himself to speak for the voiceless in the society. He believes in saying whatever needs to be said right hence the name #SayItRight and to him, saying it right means, using the right wording to communicate to the minds and hearts of the right audience using the right media.

Due to his hard work, he has been nominated for a National Students' Awards under the categories;
·         Most Promising Male Student
·         Most Outstanding local NUGS President



Sylvanus Bedzrah is a young-talented author who wrote his first book (entitled “Had I Known!”) at the tender age of 14 but got it published at age 19, while still a student in the Senior High School. He proceeded to publish the second book (the Volume Two of “Had I known” with the title “To Trust a Man”) shortly after the publication of the first book.
In 2010, his writing career won him a sponsorship from “Zain (Airtel) Touching Lives” TV Reality Show, which led to the publication of his third novel entitled “THE BLOODY INGRATE” (Betrayal of Trust)
In 2011, his books won him the “Young Professional Writer of the Year” during the keenly-contested Youth Excellence Awards which was organized by Waves International and the British Council. That same year saw him immerging as the first runner-up during the “Male Icon Ghana,” a contest that was dubbed “The Search for the Perfect Gentleman and a Youth Ambassador.” He won the “Male Personality of the Year” as well.
In 2012, his books and writing career again won him the Youth Impact Ghana Awards in the category of “Arts and Entertainment.” In that same year. His book “THE BLOODY INGRATE” (Betrayal of Trust) got that massive endorsement and approval from the Ghana Education Service (after passing through the threshold of quality assessment) as a recommended supplementary reader for Junior High Schools, Senior High Schools, Technical/Vocational Institutes, Colleges of Education and for optional purchases by all. Over 42,000 copies of this book have been sold so far; making it one of Ghana’s best-sellers.
With his passion for getting Ghana reading, he hosted a weekly 2-hour radio programme on Pravda Radio called “How Many Books Do You Read a Week?” which lasted for over a year.
Sylvanus Bedzrah is currently a student of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) studying Public Relations Management. (Bsc.)
Sylvanus Bedzrah is a staunch member of the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) and also acts as a voluntary Reading Ambassador; championing and promoting READING with his project “Making Ghana a Reading Nation.”

He is currently working on two novels to be published this year, with the working titles: “Tears in the Rain” and “Holding on to Hope.”

I am a Ghanaian and formerly intern/senior Clerk and a Research Assistant to Adom Legal Consult a law firm situated in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo’s Regional Capital. I served as a Research and Teaching Assistant at Department of Public Law at Faculty of Law in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi, where I have particularly been instrumental in the Law Faculty Moot Court, and the Law Students Reproductive Justice (LSRJ). I was employed on contract as the Legal Assistant to the Summit AuB Company LTD, a newly established mining company having its operations in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

I have had the opportunity to attend several conferences both in and outside Ghana. Which includes a peace conference organized by the Peace Revolution Team in Senegal in 2013?  Through these activities, I’ve had the international exposure which has added a greater value to my personal experience. 
                       

                     


                                   PROFILE OF MOHAMMED ABDUL BASHIRU
                                     Nominee for NSA Student Entrepreneur of the

Mohammed Abdul Bashiru is my name. I was born on the 20th of June in the early 1990’s at    
 Nima in the Ayawaso East Constituency, Greater Accra Region to Mr. Kassim Mohammed and Mrs. Alimatu Sadia. I am in a family of five, my parents and two other male siblings, Fuseini andMuftawo,  the eldest and youngest respectively.
I began my basic education at Asiamah Memorial School which is located at Lapaz and later      continued to Star JHS at Lomnava from 2000 to 2008 all in the Greater Accra region. I                completed Star JHS and proceeded to Asamankese Senior High School from 2008 to 2012 to      pursue a four year course in General Science. After obtaining very good grades in WASSCE, I   gained admission to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in the year   2013 and   currently in my third year reading BSc. Chemistry.
After SHS, I worked a year in several places around my residence that included working in a      corn, pepper and other food stuffs milling shop in the famous Nima market. With the daily pay I received, I managed to establish a unit transfer sales point, which has become my second source of income till date. Right from infancy, engaging in selfless business has been a passion. At age 14, I worked in a stone quarry where I helped my parents. As young as I was, I managed to get a trip of stones for construction which I used the proceeds obtained to buy a small battery-operated TV set and game deck. I started operating a game centre which attracted the youth in my area. It was such a profitable business venture that helped reduced the financial constraints of my parents as I sometimes used the proceeds to cater for my siblings.

      I started my business venture on KNUST campus with the selling of sachet water in my room to members of the University hall (Katanga). As a result of my acquired experience in the past, in   addition, I continued with the sale of credit cards.  As time went on, I added doorstep delivery     service to the sales of sachet “pure” water and credit cards. The business gradually expanded to   the sale and delivery of bags of water to students in and outside my hall. Later, I identified         members of my hall had the love for an Islamic outfit (Jalabia) and hence started its sales which eventualy became the gateway for my clothing line. When patronage became impressive, I          extended my sales in the outfit to other halls. It happened that one day a student who wanted a    smock for a program approached me; he asked if I could be of help. Being uncertain, I promised to get him one. As of that time, I had little capital almost around Ghc 96 because I had used some of the profit    accumulated for my upkeep. Then, it dawned on me the need to also venture into   the sale of smock so I discussed it with my then roommate, Mr. Panporror, a CID, who is one of   the key pillars in the BDK story. He being a northerner, he tried to get me wholesalers so that i   buy from them at cheaper prices. By then, my lovely sister, Sister SAMIRA who I describe as     ’101%’ shareholder of the company, loaned me an amount to purchase the smocks.  I tried          several vendors but proved futile till my SHS desk mate in UDS, Abeka Vera skived her  lectures that day  to get me one  in Tamale and right away I ordered for ten of them. It arrived at an          inconvenient time as I also     had to skip lectures to get the items from the STC terminal in asafo.

Unfortunately, the very first person who requested for the smock got disappointed as a result of   the delay and bought it elsewhere. Luckily for me, my hall master who has the desire for smocks  bought three and marketed it to his colleague lecturers and that’s how the story started. In just    5 days I sold the ten smocks. Most part of the money was received in installment without interest. The demand for the two clothing (jalabia and smock) increased but had less capital so I kept     soliciting financial support from my sister. Business started booming even though there were      hurdles. As the company grew, the need to get a company identity popped up so I pondered on       the name to use. A lot came in mind but finally I settled on BDK Ventures which after                 registering, I added “LINK” to give a proper definition to what I do. BDK which means                             “Bash De Kemist” was conceived after several searches for a brand name that would appreciate my utmost desire for Chemistry. It sounded so weird to people initially when I told them the       name, but has now become the household name on KNUST campus and others.
The transport story: Since SHS, I had been transporting students from school to Accra during  vacations with the school’s bus with little or no profit. Student transport service has been a               passion. With that little experience, I organized successful excursions and field trips as the           President of the science and maths club which received tremendous commendations
 After spending a year in KNUST, I realized there were many lapses in the way and manner my   pioneers organized buses for students and thus there was the need to make it better. I did so        many feasibility studies and found out some students wanted a reliable and affordable transport  company.  To see it materialize, I started enquiries on how to secure those buses.
One day, as I was going on my usual errands to pick smocks from asafo, I heard one transport     company making publicity of their reduction in fares. I went there to find out and realized theirs was also very cheap and luxurious. I did all negotiations with the “bookman” and decided to get some other familiar students namely Iris, Keke, Jeffery, Diana ,Nathaniel, Gabriel and Solomon who were my class mates at the University and some my Juniors from SHS to  help with the       mobilization of students . I was discouraged by some few friends who saw transport on campus as for the already existing companies and not for starters like me. It nearly affected me but took inspiration from other optimistic friends. I attended an interview which is a prerequisite if any        student wanted to engage in the transport system on campus. I went to the interview  room           tensed because I never was part of the transport companies on campus and that was the key         factor they looked for. Fortunately for me, I passed and had the certification to operate.
As a result of inadequate finance, I printed just 20 posters for publicity which wouldn’t be           enough for student population of about 45000. I had to add ten extra posters which my reps used in publicity. It wasn’t easy as a starter competing with more than 20 other transport companies.    Initially, I had 8 students who patronized the bus services so I had to merge with another             company to reduce loss incurred. For a period of 9 days, we transported the students. Some days I had to pay for as many as 22 empty seats just to satisfy my customers. In all, we transported     about 113 students to Accra and Tema and used all of the profit we made for orphanage donation on the 7th of march 2015 after soliciting and adding some proceeds obtained from the first ever   back to school organized for continuing students. We set a mark by moving about 1544 students to campus from Accra and Tema. Currently, BDK Travel and Tour has extended its transport      services to polytechnics, private universities, other public institutions and SHSs notably University of Ghana, Kumasi Polytechnic, University of Cape Coast, Central University College, Kumasi Anglican SHS amongst others and very soon we look forward to extending our services to all      institutions in the country.  
   
All this happened under a semester (October-December 2014) except the extension to other         institutions. The following semester (2nd), I drew my business plan after series of business         advices I received from business experts who realized  I had a genuine entrepreneurial spirit       which had in it Foods, Keep Fit Club and now the company becoming a multi business company.
    
                                  AN OVERVIEW OF THE VENTURE
BDK LINK VENTURES is a business venture registered with the Registrar General’s                 department under the registration of business names Act, 1962(No. 151), in the                           Kwame University of Science and Technology; KNUST set out to deliver Quality and                Affordable humanitarian services and currently extended its services to various institutions          including Senior High Schools in the country. One of the primary aims of the company is to        re-invest in the various institutions by improving the quality of life for many students through      charitable work using a proportion of the profit made. Having spent a considerable amount of      time at these institutions, some observations were made with regard to common problems faced by students and areas which presented an opportunity to explore Entrepreneurship.
    It has five main subdivisions;
I. Travel and Tourism: In the travel and tourism subdivision, we organize excursions and field     trips that enable students to socialize, create meaningful links through networking (with students from other institutions) with the added bonus of touring the country. We also organize affordable and reliable buses and flights to convey students to and fro their various campuses and homes     during reopening and vacations of schools using the buses of transport companies with trusted     brands. In my recent developments, I have started with helping students who wish to study         overseas like Finland, USA, China etc. in their applications to these countries  with easy access   to visas, scholarships and admissions of which very soon BDK Travel and Tour is aiming to be Ghana’s number one travel and tour company. Currently, I have purchased a private car which    supplies my goods in and around campus (KNUST) that is (BDK branded sachet water, clothing, foods, etc.). It also serves as a private taxi on campus which generates a considerable amount of  income.
II. Clothing:  We deliver clothes with much emphasis on African outfits to students and lecturers   on various campuses and the general public, In my desire to instill the love for African clothes  and clothing in Africans overseas and foreigners as well, my team has been set up to  deliver         those outfits to people living in the UK.I have in stock a variety of African wears, (Smocks, others),Dashiki, Islamic wears, casual ladies and gents wears ,belts ,locally made slippers, printing of   t-shirts and polo shirts and  many others with more styles in the pipeline.
III. Charity Foundation: As a business entity and as part of my social responsibilities, I believe   that in as a much as we make profit,   there’s the need to contribute and give back to the society.  My team and I have set up a system for contributions to raise funds for the charity foundation as well as invite contributions from other people, groups and organizations. Thus, I write to             corporate bodies to solicit their support in kind and in cash whenever we embark on such missions (already started). We donated some foods and other items to the Kumasi children’s’ home on    the 7th of March, 2015 and some others behind scenes. There are numerous students on these      campuses with genuine needs and no means of support. Having identified such individuals, we    aim to support them in any way we can. There are already some beneficiaries of our support        scheme.
IV. Peer Support: The Company has started building a very reputable brand (BDK) on these     campuses and beyond. With this, we help other students with business ideas to start up by           offering     free advertisements, hypes, financial supports and developing of these ideas into         realities.
 V. Other Social Activities: The venture is into the packaging and delivery of food (pure honey, sachet water (BDK branded), locally manufactured biscuits, doughnuts etc.). Again, we organize and plan entertainment activities and events.  Also, we organize health exercises to help students keep fit and maintain a healthy body and a well-defined brain which is under the BDK keep fit    club.
    As the Chief Executive Officer of the venture, I, Mohammed Abdul Bashiru having started      the operations in October 2014 in KNUST, won the  Best Student Entrepreneur Award of  the    year 2015 and also a nominee of the category of Most Innovative Student of the Year for the 5th         edition of the  local NUGS/SRC/VICE CHANCELLOR’S Excellence Awards which took place on 11th April 2015.

 Due to our unique services,  being the first student-owned company, blending  businesses with societal responsibilities and making student transportation services nationwide as a priority, BDK Link Ventures tends to attract not just students but parents who have had the opportunity to hear or read information about us or received substantial services rendered by the venture. This is       currently building up the brand name in a tremendous manner and makes the venture a reliable and authentic service provider for many if not all students and other citizens.  The Venture tends   to give a taste to the already existing and uniquely employs creativity to make sure each and every person has his or her needs taken care of.
In my bid to help reduce unemployment and encourage entrepreneurial spirit in students, I have about 155  casual and permanent employees all over these institutions and also employ SHS and   JHS leavers in Accra and Kumasi who sell my sachet water, ‘ayigbe biscuits’, doughnuts  and    many others and very soon will be nationwide God willing.
I believe that capital and experience are not so important in business because you can get them. What is important is the idea. If you have the idea, you have the main asset you need and there is no limit to what you can do with your business and life.
                BDK Link Ventures, Quality and Affordable services at your doorstep….










Professional Bodies (Affiliations)                               
  1. Member, Ghana Institute Of Physics (MGHINSTP)
  2. Member, Ghana Society For Medical Physics (GSMP)
  3. Member, Institute Of Physics And
  4. Engineering in Medicine
  5. Member, International Organization for   Medical Physics (IOMP)
  6. Member, Federation Of African Medical Physics Organization, (FAMPO)
  7. Research Scientist Association (RSA), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
  8. Trustee, Cancer Society Of Ghana
  9. Vice Chairman, Credit Union Association Of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission


OTHER TEACHING WORKS

I.                   Lecturer( Radiological Physics) Residency Programme In Radiation Oncology And Diagnostic Radiology At Kolre-Bu Tteaching Hospital From 1999 To Date
II.                 Part Time Lecturer for the Residency Programme in Radiation Oncology and Diagnostic Radiology at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. From 2010 To Date
III.             Visiting Lecturer For Residency Programme In Radiation Oncology And Diagnostic Radiology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, March 2002, Appril 2004
IV.              Visiting Lecturer, Radiological Physics For Residents Of The Faculty Of Radiology, University Of Nigeria Enugu-June 2005, March 2007, June 2009, March 2011
V.                Visiting Lecturer, Radiological Physics For Radiology Residents
Of University Of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, 18th -31st March 2011
VI.             Visiting Lecturer –Radiological Physics For Radiology Residents Of University Of Jos Teaching Hospital, Nigeria 16th -30th June 2012
VII.          Visiting Lecturer (Radiological Physics) For Radiology Residents of Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Nigeria, August 2013
VIII.       Visiting Lecturer (Radiological Physics) For Radiology Residents Of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria Sept, 2013
IX.               Visiting Lecturer-Radiological Physics For Radiology Residents Of University Of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City Nigeria, January 17-27 2014
X.                Resource Person, Radiotherapy Physics And Radiological Physics West African College Of Surgeons  Update  And Revision Courses In Diagnostic And Radiotherapy Radiological Physics—27th-30th January 2014 Obafemi Awolowo University Hospital..Ile Ife, Nigeria



           Currently I am the CHIEF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATOR OF 13 SCIENTISTS undertaking INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY AND GHANA GOVERNMENT Co-ordinated Research Programme ‘ E24020”  entitled  “Evaluation and Optimisation of Paediatric Imaging”. And it is a 5-year contract













1. As the only Ghanaian student to have petitioned the Ministry of Education to postpone the reopening of Ghanaian universities at the peak of the Ebola Virus Disease, Michael Kwadwo Nketiah known publicly as Political Kwadwo Nketiah saved the lives of thousands of Ghanaian students who stood the risk of contracting the disease in highly populated Halls and lecture theaters of various public and private universities amidst the influx of foreign students from then Ebola prone countries; Liberia, Guniea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. His petition was not only timely but acted as the needed enzyme that led to the decion by the Ministry to finally postpone the reopening of all public and private universities 4 days after he had petitioned the ministry. Today, if the dreadful Ebola never came to Ghana and Ghanaian students are still alive, Michael Kwadwo Nketiah should be given the due credit. In densely populated campuses where students constantly hug, shake hands, use the same washrooms and eat from similar bowls with virtually the same cutlery sets, campuses could have been turned into breeding grounds for the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.



2. Again, Michael Kwadwo Nketiah was the convenor for the famous "YENTUA DEMO" (We won't pay) that brought together various student leaders from the length and breadth of Ghana in demonstrating against plans by government to bill the already penniless and jobless Ghanaian student with utility bills. With barely thirty minutes to the start of the press conference, the passion of Mr Nketiah to see the press conference organised was brought to bare as he went looking for an electric generator to help provide power when the main power supply to the KNUST campus had been taken off courtesy Dumsor. Today, if Ghanaian students are not paying extral utility charges them Michael Kwadwo Nketiah was crucial in achieving this feat.

3. In his heartbreaking article titled "A Message To The Vice Chancellor: Dreams of a KNUST Student" Political Nketiah expertly and dramatically utilised his writing skills as he exposed the horrendous atrocities and inhumane treatments unleashed on innocent students through the menace of armed ROBBERY and RAPE. He highlighted the sad story of a final year female student who was raped by 2 out of 7 armed robbers and further exposed the heartless decision by university authorities to compel her into writing her exam paper from a hospital bed under such psychologically torturous condition. He has been the leading voice in the crusade against RAPE AND ROBBERY that has infested the KNUST community for years. His endless activism has helped improve security (new police check posts at Ayeduase and Kotei) at various hostels around the university community.

4. His weekly articles on various student websites, pages and social media platforms (myjcr.com, NUGS Facebook page, KNUST Rumour Crib, UDS Rumour Crib , KNUST Politics, KNUST Decides and various student Watsapp groups) have been used in championing the interest of Ghanaian students highlighting the exploitation of students by hostel owners and operators who charge students thousands of cedis but fail to provide them a basic necessity like security from armed robbers. He has also been a constant critic of university authorities at KNUST accusing them of not doing enough to safeguard students from armed ROBBERY and RAPE and also accusing them of unlawfully and fraudulently imposing prepaid Vodafone sim cards on students.


5. Though not a polytechnic student, Kwadwo Nketiah as Communications Director for the Youth Institute for Democratic Initiative (YIDI-GHANA) became the face of the quest to resolve the infamous POTAG STRIKE IN 2014. He issued various press statements and spoke on over 25 radio stations nationwide urging government and POTAG to resolve their differences amicably.

6. His activism has not been without extreme difficulties. As his articles exposed university authorities, he was constantly threatened with dismissal, suspension and was even warned not to write about KNUST again or face outright dismissal. Yet, like a fearless captain of a voyaging ship, he sailed through the boisterous weather from the sea of monstrous Shenanigans and demons of students at KNUST that sought dearly for his dismissal. What distinguishes his activism from others and makes him a GENUINE ACTIVIST is that he fought all these battles even though he occupied no official student position neither was he doing all these because he was eying a local or national NUGS position. He has indeed proven that one doesn't need to be a position or office holder before championing the interest of students.



7. Nketiah's activism has not been limited to the the arena of university communities, he has been a weekly columnist on Ghanaweb.com, Modernghana.com, myjcr.com and a host of other websites passionately writing on issues that affect Ghanaians, Africans and the world.

8. As an activist, he has granted interviews to over
35 radio stations both locally and internationally. Popular among them are the BBC World Service, Obaapa Radio (Germany and all over the world), Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Joy Fm, Citi Fm, Adom Fm, Peace Fm, Kessben, Kapital,  Hello,  Ashh, Hot Fm, Angel and a host of Radio stations in Ghana and abroad all in the name of student activism and national interest.

9. In 2014, Michael Kwadwo Nketiah and four others, famously at the risk of a possible dismissal took the Dean of Students, Electoral Commissioner, SRC President and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to the Kumasi High Court seeking for a writ of Mandamus to compel university authorities into organising fresh SRC elections to replace one that had earlier been ruled by the SRC Court as rigged, null and void. Though the petitioners lost and were fined 3,000 Ghana cedis having earlier paid thousands of cedis to their council, their bravery and courage was unprecedented and helped in keeping university authorities from interfering in subsequent SRC. elections organised.


10. Political Nketiah is the winner of the prestigious NUGS CHINUA ACHEBE BEST STUDENT WRITER for KNUST and was also nominated for the STUDENT ACTIVIST OF THE YEAR AWARD, an award category he was denied by the powers that be although he overwhelmingly won the online polls. He is a fresh graduate from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with a degree in Natural Resources Management.


1. Link to read Nketiah's petition to the Minister of Education to postpone reopening of Ghanaian universities to prevent spread of Ebola


ModernGhana:  http://m.modernghana.com/sports/562852/2/postpone-opening-dates-of-universities-to-avoid-eb html


2. Link to read the press statement calling on government to call off decision to charge students with utility bills

GhanaWeb: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Students-give-gov-t-48hr-ultimatum-to-withdraw-utility-bills-356368?channel=D1



3. Link to read Nketiah's heartbreaking article condemning RAPE and ROBBERY on campus and chastising university authorities for not doing enough to safeguard students


(Just Google > "A Message To The Vice Chancellor: Dreams of A KNUST Student and follow the myjcr.com link)


4. To read Nketiah's press statement on behalf of YIDI GHANA demanding an end to the infamous strike by the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) Just Google, "End POTAG Strike Now" and follow the various links.


5. Link to read Nketiah's article on our obsession with religion as Ghanaians and Africans.

GhanaWeb: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/A-Nation-Continent-and-People-Fooled-By-Religion-363661?channel=D1


6. Link to read Nketiah's article about the Accra fire and floods in June 2015.


ModernGhana:  http://m.modernghana.com/news/622991/1/accra-floods-a-national-disease-or-disaster.html

Powered by Blogger.