As part of its corporate social responsibility, Ecobank Ghana has fulfilled its three-year commitment to the ‘Support One Needy Student with One Laptop (SONSOL) Project,’ an initiative of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson by donating One Hundred (100) new HP laptop computers. This is the last batch of the Three Hundred (300) laptop computers promised in support of the SONSOL Project. The donation, which marks the completion of the Bank's pledge to provide Three Hundred (300) laptop computers, was held at the Council Chamber of the University on 27th November 2024.
The four-member delegation from Ecobank Ghana was led by Mr. Michael Owusu-Achiaw, Zonal Manager, and included Mr. Alex Kofi Oppong, KNUST Branch Manager; Mr. Joseph Adjei, Relationship Manager; and Ms. Shirley Osei Amankwah Agyei, also a Relationship Manager.
Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, Mrs. Abena Osei-Poku, Mr. Owusu-Achiaw reiterated the Bank's dedication to supporting education and innovation. “Ecobank in November 2021 pledged to deliver Three Hundred (300) laptop computers in over three (3) years to equip less-privileged students with laptop computers to help in their studies, especially for effective online learning and research. In 2021 and 2022, we delivered One Hundred (100) laptops each year. Today, we are here to fulfil our promise by adding the last batch of laptops,” he stated.
He commended the Vice-Chancellor for her visionary leadership and for initiating the SONSOL Project. He added that, as a technology-driven bank, Ecobank is proud to associate itself with the SONSOL Project.
In her response, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson expressed her gratitude to Ecobank for honouring their pledge. She highlighted the importance of the SONSOL Project in ensuring that equal opportunities are giving to brilliant but underprivileged students to excel. She disclosed that the initiative has so far distributed over Two Thousand, Three Hundred (2,300) laptop computers valued at approximately Twenty-Three million Ghana Cedis (GhȻ 23,000,000.00) to students, significantly enhancing their learning and research.
“KNUST is committed to training transformative leaders to address societal challenges not just for the country but the globe. The SONSOL initiative is one of the ways we ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has access to the tools needed for success,” she said.
Professor (Mrs.) Akosua Dickson assured the delegation that the laptops would reach the intended beneficiaries and be used for their intended purpose. She also praised Ecobank for its long-standing partnership with KNUST and for consistently giving back to society.
Present at the donation ceremony were Professor David Asamoah, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST; and Professor John Jerry Kponyo, Dean of Quality Assurance.
