“What type of scholarship pays only 25%; If you can’t spell it, don’t write it” — NGSJF challenges Baba Jamal
The New Ghana Social Justice Forum (NGSJF) has questioned a recent promise attributed to the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Hon. Baba Jamal, to support law students in the constituency by paying 25 percent of their tuition fees.
The President of the Forum, Yahaya Alhassan, described the proposed support as inadequate and called on the MP to provide clarity on the precise nature of the programme, including the number of students expected to benefit, the exact proportion of fees to be covered, the source of funding and the duration of the initiative.
What type of scholarship pays only 25 percent?
According to the NGSJF, describing a contribution covering only 25 percent of a student’s fees as a scholarship requires further clarification.
“What type of scholarship pays only 25 percent? If you can't spell it, don't write it,” Yahaya Alhassan said, challenging the MP to clearly define the programme and explain the extent of his financial commitment.
The Forum argued that if other Members of Parliament are providing full scholarship support to students in their constituencies, residents of Ayawaso East should not be limited to a commitment covering only a quarter of their fees.
“If other Members of Parliament are providing full scholarship support to students in their constituencies, Ayawaso East should not settle for a promise that covers only 25 percent of students’ fees,” the Forum stated.
How many students will benefit?
The NGSJF is also calling on the MP to disclose the number of law students from Ayawaso East who are expected to benefit from the initiative.
The Forum said such information should be made public to enable constituents to understand the scope and potential impact of the programme.
Call for 100 percent scholarship
The NGSJF is therefore challenging Hon. Baba Jamal to reconsider the proposal and commit to covering 100 percent of the tuition fees of eligible law students from Ayawaso East, subject to transparent and publicly stated selection criteria.
The Forum said it welcomes genuine initiatives aimed at supporting students but insisted that scholarship commitments should be clearly defined, transparent, measurable and sufficiently meaningful to make a substantial difference in the lives of beneficiaries.
The NGSJF further urged the MP to provide the public with details of the proposed programme to eliminate uncertainty and ensure accountability in its implementation.