The U.S Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has reiterated her workplace’s dedication to aiding Ghanaian college students in accessing academic alternatives overseas, by resolving delays in visa processing.
Speaking on the opening of the EducationUSA honest in Accra on Friday, she famous that whereas the visa backlog has been a problem, the embassy has elevated employees by over 50 per cent to sort out the problem.
“Ghanaian students are among the best in Africa. Do not be afraid of our visa process or let it deter you. We are working hard to ensure students receive their visas on time as we will build lasting bridges between Ghana and the U.S,” she assured.
She defined that the backlog was a world situation, partly attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, however assured college students that steps have been being taken to demystify the method
The two-day honest, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, goals to assist Senior High School (SHS) and tertiary stage college students discover undergraduate and graduate programmes in the united statesA.
This yr’s occasion noticed 60 universities taking part, as in comparison with final yr’s which had 45 participants.
This, Ambassador Palmer mentioned mirrored the rising curiosity in U.S schooling amongst Ghanaian college students.
She famous that Ghana ranked second in Sub-Saharan Africa for college students learning in the united statesand 14th globally for graduate college students.
Ambassador Palmer additional underscored the function of EducationUSA advisors in serving to college students navigate their choices amongst 1000’s of American universities, figuring out those who greatest go well with their educational wants and securing funding.
According to her, these advisors help with analysis on out there universities and funding opportunities, together with scholarships and bursaries.
The Ambassador mentioned, “EducationUSA advisors helped Ghanaian students over the past year secure $9 million, which is approximately GH¢141 million in scholarships.”
She subsequently urged college students to discover negotiation opportunities with universities as usually as attainable.
In his deal with, the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, inspired college students to use for as many scholarship opportunities as attainable to ease the monetary burden on their households.
He emphasised the worth of an American schooling, stating that it not solely challenges college students but in addition equips them to develop into important thinkers who may contribute to Ghana’s growth.
“I hope they will come back to Ghana after their education to contribute their quota to the transformation of our country,” he added.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU