Benefit to Home Country, Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Hello guys, this is my input for Benefits my country is likely to derive from my study ( MA Human Rights)on my return, kindly read and help with corrections or comments :)
PROMPT:
You are advised in your statement to describe how your plan of study or research relates to development in your sector and country. Please say how, on your return, you will apply your new skills and qualifications, and what outcomes you will hope to achieve. This could usefully be related to a national development priority or objective. Please also suggest how the impact of the potential benefits of your work might be measured.
On numerous occasions I have dedicated time and effort in seeing improvement in the lives of others because this brings me fulfillment. In Senior High School I used to offer free tuition to my mates and juniors who needed help in their studies. During my undergraduate studies I was instrumental in advocating for electing rather than appointing hall executives. I also led advocacy for better water supply to the hall to solve the headache of students. I led a campaign for an upward adjustment of National Service allowance for Ghanaian graduates undertaking national service last year. Coming from this background, contributing to the development of my country and having her benefit from my study if I am awarded the scholarship, is of prime interest to me.
For many Ghanaians, Human Rights issues are for developed countries because they don't have many developmental needs to worry about. It is argued that for a country that is dealing with issues like poverty, unemployment, corruption and declining economic growth and energy crises, Human rights are not important. This perception leaves most Ghanaians and Africans at large least concerned about Human rights. However, development is only enhanced in a human rights friendly environment. We cannot dichotomise Human Rights and development because they move together.
When people who are supposed to protect the rights of others are the very ones abusing others' right, there is great cause to worry. This is the case in many African countries where the police and army, having been influence politically, abuse the rights of civilians. Recent report from the Ghana Health Service for example indicates that teachers are responsible for 5.9% of teenage pregnancy. The survey revealed that teachers had impregnated 301 females they teach. Every now and then, pastors are reported to have defrauded or abused a church member of members in one way or the other. And the sad reality is that these things go on without offenders facing serious punitive measures as deterrence to others. The jaw dropping negative reports keep trickling in here and there and there is need for these to be checked to ensure the development of all, especially women, children and other minorities.
I am a vibrant member of Amnesty International and would continue to be active and do more with the knowledge and experience from my study. This will enhance Amnesty's objective of building a more human right friendly environment. I owe the country this duty and I see myself becoming a more vocal Human rights activist following my studies.
To educate the youth and get more people involved in the cause of Human Rights, I started a local Human rights group in my local community last year. Upon return from my studies if I am awarded this scholarship, I will make use of my group as a strong tool for Human Right advocacy by empowering group members through Human Rights Education. We will work together in organizing Human Rights education events in one senior high school every three months. My group will also cooperate with relevant and identifiable groups like the media and police to inform, protect and promote the rights of vulnerable citizens, especially women and children.
I will make use of tools like research, policy proposals, article publications, press releases/conferences etc. to increase public awareness on Human Rights abuses and mobilize public outcry against abuse of Human Right. My focus will be in these three areas; preventing violence against girls and women in Ghana, advocating for equal opportunities for women and girls and seeing that all children, especially those from rural areas get a good education. These are things I really want to do, and It would be glad to monitor my progress and impact or influence after the award. To this end, I am willing to submit progress reports once every six months.
Aside these things I will be willing to collaborate with individuals or organizations that have a human rights agenda, so that together, being a voice for the voiceless, the world can be a better place.