The Future Communicators Foundation (FCF) has recently awarded Collins Badewa and Bismark Brown with the prestigious Future Communicators Foundation Climate Scholarship in the School of Communication Studies (SCS) at Wisconsin International University College, Ghana (WIUC-GH).
The FCF Climate Scholarship aims to encourage student research in effectively communicating local solutions and raising awareness about climate justice.
This esteemed award, valued at 7000 Ghanaian Cedis, covers the full tuition fees for two years of study at the College for each deserving student. The scholarship is made possible through the generous four-year commitment from the Future Communicators Foundation, with additional support from Mahogany Consult, the agency partner of The PR Trust in Accra. As part of this scholarship, the winning students will have the invaluable opportunity to receive guidance and mentorship from Baaba Cofie, the Managing Partner at Mahogany Consult, who also serves as a member of the Advisory Council with The PR Trust.
In this year’s FCF Climate Scholarship, students were required to develop a mock campaign that addresses local sustainability issues and climate justice, while considering the significant role of Accra in global plastics and electronics recycling.
Bismark Brown(BB) emerged as the victor with his outstanding proposal, titled “Say No to Single-Use Plastic Campaign,” aimed at transforming local attitudes towards plastic consumption.
His comprehensive report highlights the alarming fact that Ghana imports a staggering 2.58 million metric tons of plastics annually for recycling, with a mere nineteen percent being reused and a staggering seventy-three percent ending up as waste.
Brown’s campaign ingeniously combines traditional mass media messaging with local events held in churches, theaters, and schools, effectively amplifying social media engagement. His campaign advocates for education on the creation of reusable bags and containers, emphasizing the potential for local job creation.
Collins Badewa was also recognized for his proposal, “Communicating the Communication Crisis,” which provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges associated with raising awareness about the climate crisis in Ghana.
Badewa astutely identified influential figures on social media to promote the campaign, while also proposing an innovative solution of accepting plastic bottles as school fees. This ingenious approach not only encourages recycling but also alleviates the financial burden on parents within communities.
“We are thrilled to witness the remarkable achievements of Collins Badewa and Bismark Brown, recipients of the Future Communicators Foundation Scholarship. Their dedication to addressing the climate crisis through innovative communication strategies is truly inspiring,” said Bennet Frimpong, Director at Mahogany Consult.
“At Mahogany Consult, we take it as a privilege to play a part in mentoring and guiding these exceptional students. Their success highlights the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and organizations like the Future Communicators Foundation in empowering students to become effective agents of change,” he said.
Prof. Kwame Karikari, faculty member at Wisconsin International University College, Ghana (WIUC-GH), commended Badewa Collins and Bismark Brown for their hard work and for receiving the Future Communicators Foundation Scholarship.
“The faculty of SCS is proud of our students! Their remarkable efforts exemplify the passion and drive we encourage and nurture throughout their educational journey with us. We take great pride in their accomplishments and trust that they will continue to drive issues of sustainability and biodiversity,” he said.
“Congratulations to the next generation of future communicators in Ghana, as they take on the global challenges of sustainability and climate affecting all societies,” said Allard W. van Veen, Founder of The PR Trust and Future Communicators Foundation. “By providing financial support for education along with industry mentorship, the FCF is able to assist young professionals as they make choices for their future career that include benefiting the environment and encouraging social justice,” he added.
In 2022 the FCF awarded the SPRG FCF Scholarship at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and in 2023 awarded the FINN Partners FCF Scholarship at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), along with two Canadian national scholarships supporting undergraduate research in climate justice. The FCF’s education outreach around climate justice benefits local agencies who are in need of top-tier talent attuned to today’s challenges.
About the FCF
The Future Communicators Foundation (FCF) provides aspiring young professionals with scholarships, learning opportunities, and outreach programs that foster communication skills around climate justice and sustainability. The FCF is an initiative of The PR Trust, a 501(c)(6) non-profit organisation that provides knowledge and networking opportunities, student scholarships and awards programs that elevate and empower aspiring professionals and young leaders in communications. As a part of the PR Trust’s Mission, the FCF was launched with a US $100, 000 endowment from Allard and Valerie van Veen for scholarships and awards
