A Special Aide to the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joyce Bawah Mogtari, has underscored the importance of preserving government-sponsored scholarships for those truly in need.
During an interview on JoyNews AM Show on Thursday, April 4, she urged politicians and financially capable individuals to refrain from seeking state scholarships for their children’s education.
Bawah Mogtari emphasized that these scholarships are meant for those genuinely in need of financial assistance. She stated that diverting them to well-off individuals tarnishes the integrity of the Scholarship Secretariat.
The former Deputy Transport Minister warned that failing 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 remarks come in the wake of a recent expose by the Fourth Estate, alleging that scholarships are unfairly awarded to well-connected affluent individuals in the country.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, the registrar of the Scholarship Secretariat, has called for the prompt enactment of legislation to regulate the allocation of scholarships.
Dr. Agyemang emphasized the current challenges faced by officials in determining eligibility, citing the lack of clear legislative guidelines defining the criteria for needy individuals.
He underscored the importance of scholarship legislation to clarify eligibility standards and remove 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.”