‘It's sad to see rich and powerful men take over scholarships meant for the needy’ — Mahama’s Aide

There is growing controversy in Ghana over how government scholarship opportunities are being awarded.

Critics have for a long time claimed they are disproportionately going to the well-connected rather than those most in need.

The criticism has been heightened following an investigation by Fourth Estate which claimed scholarships are not reaching disadvantaged brilliant students as intended, but rather affluent individuals with connections.

The report titled “Scholarship Bonanza”, revealed that several bigwigs of the ruling New Patriotic Party are being offered scholarships to pursue degrees abroad with some even getting multiple.

In reaction to the expose, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, a Special Aide to former President John Mahama, stressed that the intent of scholarship schemes was to help brilliant children from poor families access education.

In an interview on Accra-based JoyNews on Thursday, April 4, Ms. Mogtari urged persons who are privileged to afford their education to do so and leave the scholarships to the needy but brilliant 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,” she said.