FirstBank empowers young minds through Junior Internship Programme

By Buertey Francis BORYOR

The 2025 edition of FirstBank Ghana’s Junior Internship Programme (JIP) has ended with an awards ceremony celebrating young participants who excelled during the two-month learning experience.

The closing ceremony, held at the bank’s head office in Accra, brought together parents, partners, staff and the young interns who took part in the initiative, which ran from July 14 to September 12, 2025.

As part of the programme, entries were opened for an essay competition, which received 364 submissions from 680 interns across branches in Accra, Tema, Ashaiman and Tamale.

Eight participants emerged as winners, with Jeffery Agyapong of Most Holy Heart School (Kaneshie) taking the top prize of GH?5,000.

Other winners – Adam Nasara Hikmatu, KNUST Basic School; Izenel Debrah, Silicon Valley International School; Michelle Ewuraba Gyan, Able Academy JHS; Amihere Augusta Alivy, Jack & Jill School; Pebbles Kistina Nyame-Akyedzi Dadzie, Galaxy International School; Ekow Atta Arhin, Solid Rock Foundation School; and Janice Okailey Ayitey; Jack & Jill School – each received GH?1,500.

Managing Director of FirstBank Ghana, Victor Yaw Asante, described the completion of the programme as a proud milestone in the bank’s commitment to education and youth development. He said the initiative is designed not only to teach banking but also to shape the character and confidence of young people.

“Our aim has never been to teach banking, but to shape mindsets, nurture confidence, teamwork and discipline, and help young people imagine more for themselves,” he said.

He noted that the JIP reflects the bank’s long-standing belief that education is central to sustainable national development. “At FirstBank, our ‘You First’ philosophy guides everything we do because people must always come first. And there is no better way to show that than by investing in the education, exposure and empowerment of young people,” he added.

He further noted that with more than half of the country’s population under 25, investing in youth skills and exposure is critical for future growth. “The decisions and ambitions young people cultivate today will determine how strong Ghana’s industries become tomorrow,” he emphasised.

Mr. Asante commended the programme’s partners – Junior Graphic, KIVO, Gino Jollof, Pepsodent, Awake Purified Water, Kiki Juice Drink, Top-Up Pharmacy, and Indomie Ghana– for their continuous support. According to him, their involvement has made the initiative a model for collaboration between business and education.

Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Head of Retail Banking, Mr. Allen Quaye, said the JIP remains one of the most impactful youth-focused initiatives on the bank’s calendar. He explained that it helps fill a major gap in career guidance for children.

“Many of us did not get early career counselling growing up. This programme gives young people mentorship, direction and practical exposure across different sectors while introducing them to basic financial literacy,” he said.

He revealed that this year’s edition was the largest so far and added that the bank plans to expand the programme further in 2026 as it marks its 30th anniversary.

Mr. Quaye also noted that the essays were marked externally by a WAEC-certified examiner to ensure fairness, while internal verification confirmed the final results.

He said FirstBank will continue to use the Junior Internship Programme to inspire curiosity, discipline and confidence among young people and to prepare them for leadership and innovation in the years ahead.

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