The Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South and Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Dr. Clement Apaak, has advocated for an independent authority or commission to oversee and administer Government of Ghana scholarships.
According to him, such an entity should be empowered by law to establish regulations, guidelines, and criteria for the allocation of these scholarships, with a particular emphasis on prioritizing needy but academically excellent students.
Dr. Apaak’s remarks come in response to a recent investigative report by the fourth estate, which shed light on discrepancies within the Government of Ghana scholarship scheme. The report revealed that certain prominent politicians affiliated with the ruling party had been recipients of these scholarships, prompting concerns about fairness and transparency in the selection process.
In an exclusive interview with our reporter, Dr. Apaak emphasized the necessity of enacting legislation specifically addressing Government of Ghana scholarships.
He argued that without clear criteria and guidelines, the current system lacks accountability and opens the door to potential misuse of resources.
“It is my candid view that we need a law on Government of Ghana scholarships,” Dr. Apaak stated. “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.”
Dr. Apaak highlighted the absence of defined criteria for qualifying for government scholarships, as well as the lack of transparent procedures for evaluating and selecting beneficiaries.
He emphasized that this ambiguity has facilitated discretion and potential abuse, undermining the integrity of the scholarship program.
“Without a clear framework in place,” Dr. Apaak asserted, “the current arrangement, where the scholarship Secretariat operates under the Office of the President, will perpetuate preferential treatment for the wards, relatives, and associates of the socio-economic and political elite, to the detriment of genuinely deserving students.”
He therefore urged policymakers to prioritize the interests of deserving students, ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities and fostering transparency and accountability within the scholarship program.
Source: A1Radioonline.Com|101.1MHZ|David Azure|Kandiga|Ghana
