built by the people, for the people, with the people.
one person’s contribution creates possibility. twenty people’s contributions create a future where education is accessible to all. that’s soma, a community-powered education fund putting higher education within reach of all.
our ceeee model
this is the heart of our vision, where we define the principles that shape our community-centred scholarship fund. soma goes beyond financial aid, taking a holistic approach to education through the ceeee model: collect, educate, encourage, employ, and elevate.
c – collect
givers contribute monthly to the fund. every cedi is tracked, pooled, and made publicly visible in soma’s open ledger. no black boxes.
e – educate
selected scholars receive financial support to pursue their chosen accredited programme; university, technical college, vocational training, or professional certification.
e – encourage
soma connects scholars with employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, through community networks, partner organisations, and alumni connections.
e – employ
scholars become givers. givers become advocates. the cycle continues, each cohort lifting the next. that’s the soma chain.
e – elevate
scholars become givers. givers become advocates. the cycle continues each cohort lifting the next. that’s the soma chain.
what it means to be a giver
joining soma is more than a monthly contribution; you become an active part of a community that funds, selects, and supports scholars together.
contribute
join the soma community by making a monthly pledge of at least GH¢50. your contribution goes directly into the fund, helping to fully sponsor deserving young people and give them access to higher education, while also supporting the programs and resources that help them succeed.
track
all finances and transactions are recorded in a public ledger. your dashboard lets you track your total contributions, monitor the fund’s progress, stay updated on the scholars you support, and access academic reports from the students your community has funded.
vote
voting sessions are held to approve key funding decisions on anonymised scholar profiles. by casting your vote, you play a crucial role in determining who receives support, helping deserving students access higher education and unlock their full potential. programs and resources that help them succeed.
fund
selected scholars receive full financial support for their education. tuition, materials and development all covered by the community, for the community.
elevate
as soma grows, so does your role. givers who stay engaged become advocates, mentors, and connectors; supporting scholars, expanding the community, and inspiring the next wave of contributors. you don’t just fund the future; you help shape it.
every cedi accounted for
of every GH¢50 you contribute, GH¢40 goes directly to scholar tuition, fees, and stipends. GH¢5 covers platform and admin costs. GH¢5 builds the reserve fund for emergencies and renewals. every transaction is visible in our open ledger.
scholar selection process
scholars are selected through a multi-stage process inspired by research. givers vote on anonymised profiles; no names, no bias, just merit
/stage 01
application
candidates submit their academic background, application essay(s), and financial need.
/stage 02
purpose statement
a written statement of intent; why they want to study, what they plan to do with it and the impact they are looking to make
/stage 03
interviews
shortlisted candidates from the purpose statement will be invited for an interview with the selection committee.
/stage 04
first shortlist
top candidates are shortlisted and moved forward to the leadership assessment.
/stage 05
leadership assessment
a practical test of values, vision, and leadership potential.
/stage 06
verification
academic records and financial need are independently verified.
/stage 07
second shortlist
final candidates are selected, anonymised and prepared for community vote.
/stage 08
community vote
givers vote on anonymised profiles. the community decides. no gatekeepers.
/stage 09
cohort confirmed
scholars are announced and funding begins immediately.
our scholarship focus areas
soma funds six fields where talent is abundant, opportunity is scarce, and the community impact of one educated person is highest.
engineering & infrastructure
building the physical systems that power economies. soma invests in engineers who will not just participate in africa’s growth, but define it.
tech & intelligent systems
AI, machine learning, IoT, and robotics.
soma supports those building intelligent systems that are locally relevant and globally competitive.
healthcare & applied sciences
specialist medical training and sciences with direct community application. soma backs specialists driving improvements in care, research, and health systems across the continent.
agriculture & food systems
agribusiness, agricultural engineering, and sustainability. soma invests in those who see agriculture not as tradition, but as a modern high-impact sector.
technical & vocational skills
practical, job-ready, high-demand trades and certifications. soma supports pathways that lead to immediate productivity, entrepreneurship, and economic participation.
creative & cultural industries
Arts, media, and creative economies.
soma invests in creatives building sustainable careers and contributing to africa’s global creative economy.
frequently asked questions
every transaction is recorded publicly on our finances page in real time. we also publish quarterly impact reports sent directly to every giver. you will always know exactly where every cedi goes.
100% of your contribution goes into the soma money pot. every cedi is tracked publicly on our finances page. you can see every transaction in real time: what came in, what went out, and which scholar received what.
you do. as a founding giver you receive voting rights and participate in the scholar selection process. candidates are shortlisted by the soma team and anonymised before givers vote. the community decides, not a committee.
soma scholarships cover tuition fees, learning materials, academic resources, and professional development programmes. support is not limited to universities. vocational training, certifications, and apprenticeships all qualify.v
soma was founded by anthony ofori-nyarko, a talent and careers professional based in accra, ghana. soma is governed by a board of trustees and operated by a lean core team committed to transparency and community accountability.
yes, soma welcomes corporate partners. corporate partners receive named recognition on the soma website, co-branded scholar certificates, and featured placement in quarterly impact reports.
soma scholars join the soma alumni network. they are expected to complete a community impact project during their studies and remain connected to the soma community as mentors, advocates, and future supporters of the next generation of scholars.
it takes a village to build a future.