The Apana Scholarship Foundation (GSF) was established on September 20, 2014; during the installment of Togbe Tsatsu Agbe V (aka Apana WayWay) as Chief of Awate-Dzigba in Anfoega District of Volta Region Ghana. Togbe was a graduate (with Distinction) of Awate Todzi L.A. Middle School (ATLAMSCO). Following his graduation from middle school, his father wanted him to become a roadside mechanic (Fitter) but the young man believed he could do better than that. So, against the norm and enduring the societal stigma, he defied his father and instead ‘ran away’ from his village to Accra to start his secondary education at Salem Secondary school, Teshie, Accra; with the help of two of his senior brothers. After one year at Salem, he was admitted to St. Paul’s Secondary School, Denu by His Holiness Bishop Lodonu. Next, Togbe Tsatsu Agbe V did his post secondary education at Ghana Secondary School, Koforidua.
Following his graduation from GHANAS, he traveled to Nigeria (Gusao/Sokoto) where he worked with Ossot Associates – a renowned Civil Engineering Consulting Firm. He then obtained a Diploma in Highway Engineering from Glasgow International Correspondence School. This diploma enabled him to secure a job with UNDP in Swaziland (Southern Africa) as a Materials Technologist to be part of a team of UN experts supervising the construction of a new runway for Matsapha International Airport. At the end of the Matsapha project, Togbe relocated to London, England; on his way to his final destination – the US.
Togbe was a certified Phlebotomist from Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, New Jersey. However, based on his strong conviction that he is intellectually capable of being more valuable to society than what he was offering, Togbe decided to pursue a degree in Software Engineering since he has always been intrigued by the genius behind the concept of computer technology. A full time employee at night while taking classes during the day, it took him only three years to obtain a BSIT (Software Systems Engineering) degree with Magna Cum Laude from Colorado Technical University. He currently holds a Master of Science in Project Management (MSPM) degree from St. Mary's University of Minnesota.
Now a US citizen, he resides in Hamilton NJ, with his family. He has worked for the world renowned beverage manufacturing company - Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., at their Bordentown (NJ) facility for several years.
Why this Foundation? Because like the saying goes: A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste. Togbe Tsatsu Agbe V could easily have been a victim of poverty and deprived of college education if not for the help of his two brothers. Unlike Togbe, there are many brilliant and needy school kids across Ghana who do not have relatives to look up to. Moreover, they have no chance of securing government established scholarships due to corruption in the system. The helpless state of affairs in our rural communities has led to an increase in school dropout rates, poor academic performance, teenage pregnancy, and truancy. Togbe fervently believes that this scholarship scheme will provide hope to our youth, and make it possible for recipients to secure academic credentials that would enable them to be relevant in today’s competitive global job market. Togbe Tsatsu Agbe V was fortunate to have elder brothers come to his aid when his hope of furthering his education was about to be sidelined by his dad’s decision; in which case, a brilliant mind would have been wasted. Through this program, many dreams of adolescents will definitely be fulfilled.
