The Executive Secretary of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), Dr Prince Armah has reacted reports in the media outlets he used his position to acquire GETfund scholarship.
According to him, he was needy when he applied and obtained the GETfund scholarship which enabled him to embark on his PhD abroad.
READ MORE: I was awarded GETfund scholarship in 2014 – Napo clarifies
He also added that, the scholarship predates his time at the government agency.
“That I believe that the scholarship scheme we have is best used to support needy students, as I was then, in order to give them a chance to contribute to the task of nation-building, as I have done every day since my studies, ” he wrote on Facebook.
Some ministers in the Akufo-Addo government and other government appointees have been listed as beneficiaries of GETFund scholarships, which are meant for needy but brilliant students.
A performance audit report of the Auditor-General on the administration of scholarships by GETFund revealed that Education Minister Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, Procurement Minister and Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo as well as the NaCCA boss have all benefitted from the scheme.
Dr. Armah is reported to have received £38,400 for living expense in addition to £33,000 for tuition fees.
Below is detail of his statement;
However, for the avoidance of doubt, let the following be noted.
1. That I am indeed a proud and grateful recipient of a Ghana Education Trust Fund scholarship.
2. That I applied for and won the scholarship in 2012 to study for a doctorate in Mathematics Education at the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom in 2012
3. That not only was this scholarship deserved, but it was also validated, if that were needed, by several awards and grants awarded by various institutions in the United Kingdom during my period of study
4. That in fulfilment of the promise I made, I immediately returned to Ghana after my studies, despite the opportunity and ability to remain in the UK to take up more lucrative appointments.
5. That I believe that the scholarship scheme we have is best used to support needy students, as I was then, in order to give them a chance to contribute to the task of nation-building, as I have done every day since my studies.
In conclusion, I urge the public to disregard this palpably false story that is driven purely by the worst political instincts that we must work to banish from my nation, while we actively work to expand opportunity and bridge the social and economic inequalities in our nation, a task I am fully committed to in my duties at the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
Sgd
Prince Hamid Armah, PhD
Executive Secretary
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
