The scholarships Secretariat has once again been exposed on how it blows millions abroad on courses available in Ghana.
In a recent investigation conducted by The Fourth Estate, concerning the disbursement of funds by the Scholarships Secretariat, startling revelations have emerged regarding the allocation of resources. The report sheds light on how millions are being spent abroad on courses that are readily available within Ghana.
The plight of individuals like Gilbert Addo, whose academic aspirations were thwarted due to financial constraints, underscores a systemic issue. Despite possessing exemplary academic credentials, Addo’s plea for financial aid to pursue his Master’s degree locally went unheard. Consequently, he resorted to seeking opportunities overseas, where he secured a full scholarship for his PhD studies, highlighting the disparity in funding allocation.
Upon scrutinizing data obtained through an arduous Right to Information process, it was revealed that the Scholarships Secretariat had disbursed significant sums totaling GHS237.5 million in 2019 and GHS200 million in 2020, predominantly towards foreign scholarships. This expenditure pattern raises concerns, especially considering the availability of comparable programs within Ghanaian universities at significantly lower costs.
The Scholarships Secretariat, established in 1960, initially aimed to provide financial assistance to academically gifted yet financially disadvantaged students. However, recent practices indicate a divergence from this mission, as evidenced by the preference for funding foreign education over domestic opportunities.
A critical analysis of the data reveals instances where substantial sums were allocated for courses available locally. For instance, Mathias Abednego Bonir received extensive financial support for programs in Project Management and Human Resource Management abroad, despite comparable courses being offered by Ghanaian institutions. This raises questions about the judicious utilization of public funds and the prioritization of resource allocation.
Moreover, Prof. Peter Quartey, Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research at the University of Ghana, advocates for a more targeted approach in scholarship allocation. He emphasizes the importance of directing funds towards critical areas of national development, such as Information Technology, cyber security, artificial intelligence, and medicine.
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In light of these revelations, there is a pressing need for a reassessment of scholarship policies and practices. The Scholarships Secretariat must reevaluate its criteria for funding allocation, prioritize domestic educational opportunities, and ensure transparency and accountability in its operations. Failure to address these issues risks perpetuating inequities and hindering the realization of national human resource development goals.