UG Alumnus Lawrence Addo Donates to Students Financial Aid Office

Prof. Aryeetey in a handshake with Mr. Lawrence Addo

Mr. Lawrence Addo, an Alumnus of the University of Ghana and CEO of Relish Health Foods Ghana Ltd. has presented a cheque of GH¢50, 000 to the Students Financial Aid Office (SFAO). This is the fourth consecutive time within a period of 4 years that he has made such a donation. 

Receiving the donation on behalf of the University, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ernest Aryeetey acknowledged the consistency with which Mr. Addo has demonstrated his commitment to the university through his generous donations. He indicated that the University has had its fair share of challenges with regards to soliciting support from benefactors, adding that the university’s association with Mr. Lawrence Addo is one that it yearns to establish with other alumni. Prof. Aryeetey extended appreciation to him for his unflinching assistance, adding that the university looks forward to many more years of engagement. He also called on all alumni to imitate his kind gesture.

Mr. Lawrence Addo, on his part noted that his support to the Student Financial Aid Office was drawn out of the satisfaction he derives from supporting worthy causes.  As an alumnus of the University (Sociology/Political Science, 1978), he recalled that alumni were rallied to support the University in preparation for the University’s Golden Jubilee in 1998 and that is when he made his first major donation to support the construction of Jubilee Hall.  He promised to increase the donations in the near future as his business thrives.

The Pro-Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei who is also the Chairman of the SFAO was thankful not only for the consistency of  the support from Mr. Addo, but also for the incremental value overtime. Addressing some difficulties faced by needy students, Prof. Offei mentioned that majority of such students struggle to support themselves by combining their academic work with undertaking other jobs such as on construction sites, in order to fend for themselves. He noted that due to limited resources, the university has not been able to cater for the increasing number of applications the SFAO receives which is why  such donations are greatly appreciated as they help finance such students through their tertiary education.

Mrs. Christine Baning, Head of the SFAO gave insight into Mr. Lawrence Addo’s support to the SFAO over the years, which started with GH¢12, 000 in the 2012/13 academic year, increasing to GH¢.20,000, then to GH¢25,000 and GH¢50,000 for the  2015/2016.

The Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella Amoa expressed gratitude to Mr. Lawrence Addo for staying committed to his alma mater through donations to needy brilliant students of the University since the 2012/2013 academic year when he first made the initial contact with her.  

Also present at the meeting was Mrs. Maame Efua Ocansey, Fundraiser at the SFAO.

From left, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, Director of Public Affairs, Prof. S. Kwame Offei, PRO-VC (ASA), Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Lawrence Addo, CEO, Relish Ghana and Mrs. Christine Banning, Head SFAO