The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA) to publish the names of all scholarship beneficiaries and clearly justify the basis for each award.
He said the award of government scholarships must be guided strictly by merit, financial need and specialised training aligned with Ghana’s national development priorities, and not by political influence or personal privilege.
Mr. Iddrisu made the remarks at the inauguration and swearing-in of the 14-member Governing Council of the Ghana Scholarships Authority, made up of representatives from key ministries, civil society, industry and academia.
According to the Minister, the scholarship system must be administered free from cronyism, corruption and nepotism, stressing that these concerns informed government’s decision to upgrade the former Scholarship Secretariat into a fully fledged authority through legislation.
“It is unacceptable for Members of Parliament to award scholarships to themselves and their children when they can afford education, while brilliant but needy students are denied the opportunity,” he stated.
The Minister explained that scholarships should fall under three main categories: merit-based awards, need-based support, and sponsorship for specialised areas critical to national development.
He pointed to emerging global trends such as artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, noting that Ghana must deliberately invest in training students in these fields to build future national capacity.
Haruna Iddrisu also acknowledged that, in line with the principles of Pan-Africanism, international cooperation and humanitarian support, Ghana may occasionally extend scholarships to students from other countries, especially those from conflict-affected regions.
He further directed the Council to introduce affirmative action quotas, prioritise underserved regions and focus on disciplines facing critical shortages, such as medicine and specialised nursing. Beneficiaries in such areas, he added, should be bonded to return and serve the country.
The Minister urged the Governing Council to uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability and fairness in the administration of scholarships, describing the Authority as a key institution for promoting equity and national development through education.
