Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, has raised concerns over the proposed National Scholarship Authority Bill, cautioning that it may entrench existing flaws in Ghana’s scholarship system rather than address them.
Speaking on Citi FM on Thursday, July 17, 2025, Mr. Asare described the bill’s governance structure as a “mere reshuffling of power within the executive arm of government.”
“The new bill is simply transferring power from one group of executives to another,” he noted.
“With a board comprising Ministers of Education, Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General, and others, it begs the question—are we just shifting control over who benefits from scholarships?”
Mr. Asare argued that the proposed bill does little to address core issues such as nepotism, political interference, and the absence of meritocracy in scholarship awards.
“If you keep the same executive approving scholarships, you’re doing the same thing and expecting different results—it won’t work,” he cautioned.
He proposed a separation of regulatory and awarding functions, suggesting that faculties recommend candidates while the authority focuses on setting and enforcing standards.
“Best practice worldwide shows that regulatory bodies don’t award scholarships; they regulate the process to ensure fairness and transparency,” he added.
Parliament is expected to pass the National Scholarship Authority Bill by the end of the week.
Meanwhile, Chair of the Education Committee, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, has defended the legislation, stating it aims to enhance transparency and oversight in the administration of scholarships.
Source: AdomOnline
