Speaking at the GBA’s 2024/2025 annual general conference, President Yaw Acheampong Boafo criticized the current system, arguing that it disproportionately favours individuals from privileged backgrounds who can afford to pursue their education without financial aid.

Mr. Boafo stressed that scholarships should be awarded based on genuine merit, financial need, and relevance to critical fields of study and research.

He described the practice of awarding scholarships to politically connected individuals as “immoral and troubling,” emphasizing that it deprives brilliant but needy students of opportunities.

The GBA president also pointed to reports of corruption, nepotism, and political favoritism in the scholarship process.

He condemned the practice of awarding multiple scholarships to the same individuals, while others who desperately need financial assistance are left out.

Mr. Boafo further questioned the practice of allocating scholarships in foreign currency for studies abroad, particularly for programs that are available at local universities.

The GBA is calling for a comprehensive review of the government scholarship system to ensure it is fair, transparent, and accountable.

“In my view, government scholarships should be based on real merit, the economic and financial needs of beneficiaries, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and the relevance of the studies to critical areas of development,” he stated.

“It is unacceptable that scholarships are awarded to individuals with political ties who are already from wealthy backgrounds, while deserving, underprivileged students are overlooked. Reports of corruption, nepotism, and political patronage in the scholarship process are deeply concerning.”

“It is also troubling that scholarships in foreign currencies are granted for studies abroad when similar programs can be pursued locally. We need a thorough review of the scholarship distribution process to ensure fairness and prevent waste,” he added.

Source: Adomonline

In an interview on JoyNews AM Show on Thursday, April 4, she urged politicians and individuals who are financially capable to refrain from seeking state scholarships for their children’s education.

According to her, these scholarships are intended for those who are in genuine need of financial assistance, and diverting them to well-off individuals tarnishes the integrity of the Scholarship Secretariat.

The former Deputy Transport Minister stressed that failure to adhere to this principle would result in undue hardship for deserving but disadvantaged students.

“It is for very good reason the scholarship secretariat was created. It’s for those who are brilliant but cannot afford but it is sad that persons who are doing well and can fund their ward’s education are now taking over. My advice to them is that they should leave it for those who need it.”

Her comments follow a recent expose by the Fourth Estate, which claimed that scholarships are disproportionately awarded to well-connected affluent individuals in the nation.

Meanwhile, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, the registrar of the Scholarship Secretariat, has urged the swift enactment of legislation to regulate the allocation of scholarships.

Dr Agyemang highlighted the existing challenges encountered by officials in determining eligibility due to the lack of clear legislative guidelines defining the criteria for needy individuals.

He stressed the importance of scholarship legislation to clarify eligibility standards and eliminate any ambiguity in the distribution process.

“I think a scholarship legislation is so eminent and that will set out everything that we need to do or how the funds need to be managed.”

“It’s been managed over the years by the dexterity of leaders. What I think is so important – so in conjunction with maybe National Development Planning Commission and DPC to really identify priority areas that as Ghanaians, we need to.”

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