Let’s decouple the office of the president from government scholarship secretariat – Nortsu Kotoe
There have been growing calls for the decoupling of the scholarship secretariat from the Office of the President, as its intended purpose seems to have been overshadowed by controversy and alleged corruption. Originally established to support financially needy students and serve as a resource hub for educational advancement, the scholarship secretariat has faced criticism for its handling of funds and allocation processes.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Central Constituency. Ranking Member of the Education Committee in Parliament, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, addressed these concerns during an interview on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Alex Nana Dogbe in Accra. Nortsu-Kotoe suggested that all educational funding, including resources for further studies, should be managed by the GETFUND Secretariat. He argued that the GETFUND Secretariat, equipped with the necessary expertise and focus on educational funding, would be better suited to handle such responsibilities.
Highlighting the historical context of scholarship funding, dating back to its establishment in 1960, Nortsu-Kotoe emphasized that scholarships were initially designed to assist exceptionally talented individuals lacking the financial means to pursue higher education abroad. However, recent scandals associated with the scholarship secretariat have revealed instances of abuse and alleged political manipulation, diverting resources away from their intended beneficiaries.
In another development, former Auditor-General Dominic Yao Domelevo expressed grave concerns about the misuse of scholarships in Ghana. Domelevo noted a troubling trend wherein individuals who are financially well-off are unjustly classified as needy and subsequently awarded scholarships meant for economically disadvantaged students. He criticized the Scholarship Secretariat’s failure to address these issues despite them being brought to light through audits.
Domelevo highlighted a concerning example where individuals earning substantial salaries, such as government ministers, were considered needy and eligible for scholarships, while many teachers and public servants struggled to make ends meet on meager incomes.
Recent revelations, including the publication titled ‘Scholarships Bonanza’, have exposed close associates of key government officials benefiting from scholarships intended for the less privileged. This revelation has sparked public outrage, with demands for transparency and accountability within the scholarship allocation process.
Despite mounting pressure, the Registrar of the Scholarship Secretariat has maintained that no wrongdoing occurred, further fueling skepticism and calls for reform within the institution.
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