UBA Foundation opens 2026 National Essay Competition for SHS students

The UBA Foundation has officially launched the 2026 edition of its National Essay Competition (NEC), inviting Senior High School (SHS) students across Ghana to showcase their writing talents and intellectual depth. This initiative is designed to stimulate critical thinking and enhance the creative skills of the youth, providing a national platform for students to express their ideas on significant socio-economic and developmental topics. The competition represents a key pillar of the foundation's commitment to educational excellence and youth empowerment within the country.

Organizers have noted that the competition serves as a direct intervention to address observed declines in literacy levels among students. By encouraging research and structured writing, the UBA Foundation hopes to reverse this trend and prepare students for the rigors of tertiary academic work. The competition does not merely reward the final product but emphasizes the process of inquiry and articulation. Previous entrants have reported that participating in the NEC significantly improved their self-assurance and helped them discover their unique voices as writers.

Beyond the academic recognition, the 2026 National Essay Competition offers tangible rewards that alleviate the financial burden of higher education. The top performers will be awarded scholarships in the form of educational grants to support their studies at various tertiary institutions. Students who wish to participate must submit their essays through the UBA Ghana website by the application deadline of November 13. This initiative forms part of the foundation's broader corporate social responsibility strategy to foster a culture of reading and writing among the next generation of Ghanaian leaders.