Chinese telecom equipment and service giant Huawei Technologies is set to offer 15 training opportunities to top Ghanaian students majoring in information and communications technology (ICT) in the next four years, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
According to the report, the program is part of Huawei's global corporate social responsibility program "Seeds for the Future," which was launched in Thailand in 2008 and being implemented in 40 countries. More than 10,000 students from over 100 universities worldwide have benefited from the program.
Xu Hu, chief executive officer of Huawei's Ghana branch, said during the launching ceremony on June 26, Friday, that the beneficiaries, who will be selected from Ghanaian institutions, will also be invited to travel to China.
"Kenya became the first African country where Huawei launched its 'Seed for the Future' program. We are happy to know that Ghana becomes the first West African country to launch this program," Xu said.
Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Sun Baohong praised Huawei for making remarkable contributions to Ghana's economic development, social progress and improvement in people's livelihoods.
"On the eve of celebrating our 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ghana, we are very satisfied with our cooperation on all fronts, especially in the economic and trade area," the ambassador said.
The ambassador also urged the first beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity offered by Huawei and make good use of it.
"You will join 3,700 Ghanaian students studying in China and nearly 500 Ghanaian trainees sponsored by the Chinese government. I can assure you that you will enjoy your life and studies in China," Su added.
Ghana's Vice-President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur expressed gratitude and thanked the Chinese government and Huawei for the continued support.
More than 1,000 students across Africa will enroll into Huawei's program over the next five years as part of the firm's effort to help build ICT capabilities in Africa.