People who take money from GNPC scholarship applicants will be dealt with — Foundation warns

The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation has issued a stern warning to individuals attempting to extort money from applicants of its scholarship program.

In a recent public notice, the Foundation clarified that its scholarship initiative is free and cautioned the public against falling prey to fraudsters demanding payment to facilitate the scholarship process.

In the notice, GNPC Foundation expressed concern over reports that “unscrupulous persons are demanding or soliciting for money from some GNPC scholarship applicants.”

These individuals, according to the Foundation, falsely claim they can aid applicants in securing scholarship awards in exchange for payment.

“Absolutely nothing is requested from scholarship applicants to merit the scholarship facility,” GNPC Foundation stated, underscoring that any financial request made in relation to the scholarship is fraudulent.

“The general public is hereby cautioned not to engage these deceitful persons soliciting or demanding for money ostensibly to provide them with GNPC scholarship,” the statement read.

GNPC Foundation also pointed out that such practices constitute criminal offenses under Ghanaian law.

According to the Foundation, those involved in soliciting money in this manner are committing crimes of “Personation, Extortion, and Defrauding by False Pretence,” all of which are punishable under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

To address the matter, GNPC Foundation revealed that relevant security agencies are actively investigating the reported cases and are committed to apprehending and prosecuting those involved.

“The appropriate security agencies are investigating the matter to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to book,” GNPC assured the public.