Pen of Truth

Pen of Truth Competition launched

The Pen of Truth Awards, a Ghanaian educational television reality show for young aspiring graduates and graduates to compete for chances to reform their society with their innovative ideas was launched on Monday March 3 in Accra.

According to Mr. KwadwoBoateng, Operations Manager of Cheetah Communications Ltd, organisers of the Awards programme, the competition would offer a platform for critical analyses of Ghana’s economy from an intellectual perspective and equip the participants with entrepreneurial and employable skills.

He said the initiative which started two years ago was aimed at engaging and empowering undergraduates and graduates in ventures that would translate their knowledge into practical and productive enterprise, as well as them become solution-driven persons and entrepreneurs.

Though the competition is targeting Business and Commerce, and Art and Culture as the two thematic areas for now, organisers say others areas will be introduce including Health and Medicine, Law and Media, Food and Agriculture among others would be introduce in subsequent years.

Mr. Michael Amoah, member of the Cheetah Communications explained that the Competition was in four stages, the first which last for six weeks is dubbed the Research Task and entails writing and submission of research essays.

The second stage (Knowledge Ball stage), includes the selection of 40 participants who would undergo employment and entrepreneur Clinic, and the third stage (Board Room stage) comprises the selection of the final 20 participants to meet the board to defend their research essay.

The final stage is the Awards stage where the best winning essays are chosen and awarded at a banquet.

Mr. Amoah noted that the Awards which is opened to all undergraduates pursuing certificate, Diploma, HND and First Degree programmes as well as Diplomates and Graduates who left school in the last five years.

He said interested Applicants could download the Pen of Truth application form from: www.cheetahcommunications.gh.com and obtain a competition code at GH c 20. From any UT Bank.   

Mr. KwekuRockson, Former Acting Rector of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, who chaired the function the programme was a unique one since it was geared towards addressing a the youth unemployment situation and empower young entrepreneurs in the country.

Launching the Awards, he said the competition was going to be a thorough one and advised organisers to get the message to all tertiary schools in the country, and be meticulous in empanelling judges.

He also advised them to look for sponsorship to sustain the programme.

Mrs. Margaret Tekyi Micah, Chief Executive Officer of Next Ideas, partners of the awards programme, urged Ghanaians not to despise small beginnings but support one another improve and develop their dreams into full potentials.

She said instead complaining about the state of thing the youth should start working on their dreams, adding that “whatever dream you have focus on it”.