The Government will next week present the Scholarship Authority Bill to Parliament as part of measures to tackle nepotism and cronyism in the award of scholarships.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu made the announcement at the launch of the Government’s flagship education programme, dubbed the “No Fees Stress Policy” initiative, held at the SDA College of Education in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital.
The launch was performed by President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the Minister, one of President Mahama’s enduring legacies would be the introduction of the President’s Scholarship, which targets brilliant students in priority areas such as Science, Mathematics, and Engineering.
“So the President’s Scholarship for Scholarship would honour 10 brilliant students, determined and declared by the West African Examinations Council, as the overall best students in the country,” Mr Iddrisu stated.
“Then the President will absorb them to benefit from his scholarship for his full tenure.”
Touching on the “No Fees Stress Policy,” Mr Iddrisu said it was in fulfilment of President Mahama’s campaign promise to Ghanaians.
Describing President Mahama as a “fountain of honour,” he added, “Today, from that fountain, they will drink with the students in our first-year tertiary public institutions across Ghana.”
He also noted that the policy extends to persons with disabilities, whose fees would be fully paid by the Government.
The Minister disclosed that his Deputy, together with the Chair of the Federation for Disabled People, is working on a roadmap to ensure the smooth disbursement of funds for students with disabilities.
He added that in the next academic year, the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) would double its allocation to the Students Loan Trust—from GH₵70 million to GH₵150 million—to support students requiring further financial assistance.
The “No Fees Stress Policy” is aimed at boosting enrollment in the nation’s public tertiary institutions and will provide free tuition for all first-year students.
The event was graced by New Juaben Manhene, Nana Kwaku Boateng III, and New Juabenmanhemaa, Nana Juaben Serwaa III.
Source: GNA
