Nana Osei Asibey Socatoa, Swindon Chapter Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP-UK) says there is nothing wrong for politically influential persons or their children to benefit from government of Ghana scholarships if they qualify.
He was reacting to the latest publication by the Fourth Estate, which exposes how politically influential persons and the rich are awarded scholarships against the needy but brilliant applicants.
He asserts that it is acceptable for politically influential and affluent individuals to receive government scholarships when they qualify.
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.
Reacting to the publication, Nana Osei Asibey Socatoa indicated that he sees nothing wrong with what happened.
He stated that those who have been captured as politically influential are also Ghanaians who went through a process and qualified to be awarded the scholarships.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio 92.4 FM in the UK, the politician said some influential politicians in the NDC and their children also benefited from the scholarships.
He told host Daniel Dadsspn that, from his point of view, if the beneficiaries qualify for the scholarships, meet the requirements, and go through the processes required, we cannot fault anyone.
He also asserted that it does not matter if their parents are influential politicians or persons who hold political office; the question we have to ask is whether they qualify, and if they do, there is nothing wrong with it.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
