For the third consecutive year, Zenith Bank (Ghana) Limited has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting educational excellence in Ghana. The bank has once again sponsored the prestigious Overall Best Candidate award for the 2022 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations.

Alex Opoku Manu, a former student of St. James Seminary Senior High School in Sunyani, was honored as the Overall Best Candidate in the 2022 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations. Mr. Henry Onwuzurigbo, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, awarded him a cash prize of GHS 30,000 along with a laptop in recognition of his outstanding achievement.

During the 2022 WAEC Distinction Awards ceremony held at the Sakyi-Asare Menako Hall in Cantonments, Accra, Mr. Henry Onwuzurigbo, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, presented the cash prize of GHS 30,000 and a laptop to Alex Opoku Manu, the Overall Best Candidate in the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations. The event was organized by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

According to the MD/CEO, “The achievement of Master Alex Opoku Manu is an attestation of extraordinary academic performance. The Bank’s decision to sponsor the award of Overall Best Candidate for the third year in a row is therefore in line with the Bank’s mission.

“To continue to invest in the best people, technology and environment to underscore our commitment to achieving customer enthusiasm.”

Alex Opoku Manu, who is currently pursuing a degree in Human Biology at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), was also awarded a cash prize and a certificate by the WAEC Endowment. Additionally, his former school, St. James Seminary Senior High School, received a plaque in recognition of his outstanding achievement.

Mr Benjamin Eyram Nana Kwame Degbey, the second Overall Best Student also a former student of the St. James Seminary SHS in Sunyani and the third-place winner, Abena Afriyie Poku, a former student of Holy Child Senior High School both received a cash prize, laptop, and a certificate each.

Madam Wendy Addy-Lamptey, Head of the National Office, WAEC, said the Excellence and Distinction Awards were instituted by the WAEC Endowment Fund to recognize and publicly acknowledge candidates who perform in the Council’s International and National examinations.

She expressed the Council’s appreciation to some organisations and the Headline Sponsor, Zenith Bank Ghana for coming onboard to reward excellence.

“Let me on behalf of the Council express our heartfelt appreciation to these organisations and our Headline Sponsor, Zenith Bank,” she said.

She announced that two of the winners (Alex Opoku Manu and Benjamin Eyram Nana Kwame Degbey) made Ghana proud and annexed the 1st and 2nd prizes at the WAEC International Excellence Awards during the 71st Annual Council Meeting of member countries of WAEC held in Banjul, The Gambia.”

Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Education Minister, congratulated the winners for their outstanding performance.

He commended WAEC for organising the awards and tasked school authorities to train critical thinkers.

Zenith Bank has over the years contributed significantly to the provision of financial support for needy but brilliant students across all levels of the educational spectrum.

The Bank currently offers full educational scholarships covering the cost of tuition, books, clothing, accommodation and allowances for underprivileged students who have been placed in schools such as Achimota Senior High School, Achimota Junior High School, Osu Presbyterian Senior High School and Kibi School for the Deaf. Recently, the Bank extended its scholarship scheme to an eight-year-old to enable the child pursue her education at the St. Peters Missions School in Accra.

Over the course of almost eighteen years of operations in Ghana, Zenith Bank has sponsored specific prize categories in schools and tertiary institutions, renovated computer laboratories of some public schools and equipped schools with computers, computer accessories as well as teaching and learning materials.

The Bank, some months ago, donated 24 ceiling fans to the Zagyuri Anglican JHS in the Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly as well as exercise books, textbooks and pens to students of Agbekotsekpo DA Basic School in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region, to enable students study in a more conducive learning environment and fully participate in learning activities undertaken in the schools.

Students of the Sokode Hall of Residence at the University of Health and Allied Sciences were also beneficiaries of two 380-litre deep freezers which the Bank donated to the Hall of Residence.

Zenith Bank Ghana’s Corporate Social Responsibility cuts across the areas of education, healthcare and human capital development. Initiatives embarked on by the Bank have centred on positively impacting the communities in which the Bank operates.

Zenith Bank (Ghana) Limited is a subsidiary of Zenith Bank Plc, head quartered in Nigeria with presence in other West Africa countries, the Middle East, Far East and Europe.

It is a member of the Ghana Deposit Protection Scheme. The Bank’s branding is anchored on a continuous investment in People, Technology and Excellent Customer Service.