A Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament has suggested the establishment of an independent authority or commission by law to oversee and administer government scholarships in Ghana.
The MP, who represents the people of Builsa South, was reacting to the recent expose and publication by the Fourth East over how politically influenced individuals are awarded scorlaships at the expense of the poor and needy.
A recent publication by the Fourth Estate dubbed ‘Scholarship Bonanza’ has, among other things, alleged that scholarships are being unfairly distributed to well-connected affluent individuals.
The Fourth Estate, in its latest publication christened ‘Scholarship Bonanza’, has named persons close to key government officials as beneficiaries of scholarships that it deems inappropriate.
The Fourth Estate reported that the Scholarship Secretariat’s response to the RTI request showed that it had spent GHS237.5 million and GHS200 million in 2019 and 2020, respectively, covering both foreign and local scholarships.
The investigations by the news portal revealed a trend where scholarship funds were handed over to influential people as well as children, relatives, and associates of powerful figures.
Dr. Apaak, in a statement, indicated that the law establishing the commission must regulate, guide, and outline criteria for the award of government scholarships.
Such a law, he said, must give priority to needy but brilliant students.
Dr. Apaak stated that because there are no criteria on how one qualifies for a government of Ghana scholarship or guidelines on how people are selected, it has created room for discretion and abuse.
“Until such a law is passed, the current arrangement, where the scholarship Secretariat is under the Office of the President, will continue skewing opportunities in favour of the wards, relatives, and friends of the socio-economic and political elite to the detriment of truly needy but brilliant students.”
Read the full statement below
Ghana Needs A Law On Government Scholarships
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Many citizens have expressed revulsion and disappointment with regards to some identified beneficiaries of government scholarships exposed by the 4th Estate’s investigative report on activities at the scholarship Secretariat.
It is my candid view that we need a law on Government of Ghana scholarships. An independent authority or commission must be established by law to oversee and administer Government of Ghana scholarships. The law must regulate, guide, and outline criteria for the award of Government scholarships. Such a law must give priority to needy but brilliant students.
As it is now, there is no defined criteria about who qualifies for a government scholarship nor guidelines on how qualified applicants are evaluated and selected to benefit from Government of Ghana scholarships. This is what has created room for discretion and abuse.
Until such a law is passed, the current arrangement, where the scholarship Secretariat is under the Office of the President, will continue skewing opportunities in favour of the wards, relatives, and friends of the socio-economic and political elite to the detriment of truly needy but brilliant students.
Dr. Clement Apaak
MP, Builsa South and Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament
By: Rainbow Radio online.com/Ghana
