Old Mutual Emerging Markets (part of Old Mutual PLC), and through its subsidiary Old Mutual Ghana, has signed a partnership with Ashesi University College to provide approximately GHC 300,000 in scholarship funding to students. Under the partnership, Old Mutual will help fund the tuition costs for selected students at Ashesi, and provide skills training through internships with the organisation.

Old Mutual has been operating in Ghana since 2013, and is part of the Old Mutual Group which provides life assurance, asset management, banking and general insurance to customers in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. The partnership represents Old Mutual’s commitment to developing more social investment initiatives, with a core area being Skills and Capacity Building.

“In recognition of our broader responsibility of strengthening the communities in which we are an integral part, and aligned to Old Mutual’s “Responsible to our Communities” pillar, that is central to our global Responsible Business approach, partnering with Ashesi provides a unique opportunity to positively impact the future of our society,” says Old Mutual Group CEO, Chris Kapanga. “The bursaries that Old Mutual has provided will not only ease the challenge of academic fees for the students and their families, but will also assist in making sure that we play a part in shaping a brighter and more academically enabled youth for the future. They will in turn assist in the economic growth for our country. We intend to have selected students intern at our Old Mutual offices and possibly, include them in our future talent pool through trainee programmes. We believe this is the beginning of a truly mutually beneficial three-way relationship between ourselves, the students and Ashesi.”

The scholarship opportunity will be available to juniors and seniors at Ashesi who demonstrate academic excellence, and will run from 2015 to 2017.

“We are pleased to be able to collaborate with Old Mutual,” says Araba Botchway, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Ashesi. “This is another great example of a university-industry partnership that focuses both on supporting Ashesi’s mission to educate exceptional leaders, while also allowing students to gain practical skills to create value and growth within Ghana and Africa.”

About Old Mutual
Old Mutual provides investment, savings, insurance and banking services to more than 17 million customers in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Originating in South Africa in 1845, Old Mutual has been listed on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges, among others, since 1999. In the year ended 31 December 2014, the Group reported adjusted operating profit before tax of £1.6 billion (on an IFRS basis) and had £319 billion of funds under management from core operations. For further information on Old Mutual plc, please visit the corporate website at www.oldmutual.com