Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has laid before Parliament the Ghana Scholarships Authority Bill—a legislative proposal aimed at transforming the country’s scholarship system and eliminating what he described as widespread cronyism and nepotism in the current regime.
Presenting the bill to the House, Mr Iddrisu conceded that the existing structure for awarding government scholarships lacks fairness and transparency, often favoring individuals based on connections rather than merit or genuine need.
The new legislation, he explained, seeks to elevate the Scholarships Secretariat to a full-fledged Authority with broader powers and a renewed mandate to ensure scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and need.
He noted that the envisioned Authority would focus its efforts on supporting disciplines critical to national development, such as science, mathematics, and education.
“The manpower needs of the country and the aspirations of the country if we are emphasizing science, mathematics, education will be the preoccupation of the Scholarship Authority,” Mr. Iddrisu said. “Largely, Mr. Speaker, [this bill is] to respond to the nation’s desire for us to reward merit, whether in need or academic, so that scholarship goes to those who deserve it meritoriously.”
However, Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, while welcoming the intent of the bill, urged the Minister to consider including provisions for decentralizing the administration of scholarships.
He argued that centralization has often restricted access, especially for students from remote or underserved regions.
