In a bold stride toward educational equity and global opportunity, Member of Parliament for Ho West, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, has secured 100 international scholarships for students in his constituency to pursue higher education in Russia.
The initiative, announced during the 10th edition of the Ho West Basic Schools Annual Quiz Competition (BaSAQ-C) on July 15, 2025, is aimed at developing a science and technology-driven human resource base for the district.
“I traveled to Russia about a month ago and have been able to secure about a hundred scholarships for the Ho West District. Those who want to do a PhD, those who want to do a Master’s, those who even want to do a first degree,” Bedzrah disclosed during a media interaction.
The scholarship initiative builds on the success of Ho West Basic Schools Annual Quiz Competition (BaSAQ-C), a decade-old academic competition that has nurtured hundreds of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Many past participants are now pursuing tertiary education in technical fields, and Bedzrah sees the Russian scholarships as a natural extension of that legacy.
To ensure transparency and local ownership, the MP announced the creation of a Scholarship Secretariat at the Ho West District Assembly, which will Coordinate application and selection processes, Verify the eligibility of beneficiaries as true indigenes of Ho West, Provide pre-departure orientation and support
The scholarships will prioritize disciplines critical to Ghana’s development, including Engineering and Applied Sciences, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Medical and Health Sciences, Environmental Studies and Renewable Energy
Bedzrah emphasized that the goal is not just to send students abroad, but to build a pool of skilled professionals who will return to contribute to the district’s transformation.
“Education is my priority. Every aspect — motivation, logistics, infrastructure – I want to leave a legacy so that when I am no longer there, people can point out that Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah brought education up in Ho West,” he affirmed.
The initiative aligns with Russia’s broader commitment to expanding educational cooperation with Ghana.
In recent years, the Russian government has increased its scholarship quota for Ghanaian students, particularly in medicine and engineering.
The move is part of a bilateral effort to deepen ties through academic exchange and technical training.
Bedzrah’s achievement has drawn praise from education advocates and civil society groups, who see it as a model for MP-led development that goes beyond infrastructure to invest in human capital. His track record includes Over 77 educational infrastructure projects in Ho West, Support for health professionals’ scholarships, Provision of motorbikes for circuit supervisors, Donations of medical equipment worth GHS70,000 to the district health directorate
As the scholarship program prepares to launch, students across Ho West are hopeful that this opportunity will open doors to global education and local transformation.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
