Scholarship Secretariat Saga: 104 beneficiaries yet to return home despite signing bond – Fourth Estate editor

Scholarship Secretariat Saga: 104 beneficiaries yet to return home despite signing bond – Fourth Estate editor.

The Scholarship Secretariat of Ghana is currently facing scrutiny after a thorough investigation by The Fourth Estate revealed startling irregularities concerning the conduct and policy enforcement of its scholarship awards.

Senior reporter Seth Bokpe ‘s revelations, discussed on JoyNews’ program Newsfile, have sparked a renewed debate on the accountability and transparency of scholarship distributions in Ghana.

The investigation uncovered that approximately 104 beneficiaries of the Scholarship Secretariat, despite having signed binding agreements to return to Ghana upon the completion of their studies abroad, have failed to do so.

Some of these individuals have remained overseas for up to five years, raising questions about the efficacy and enforcement of these bonds. “It’s baffling how the bonds were signed and managed, and yet there is no compelling mechanism to ensure compliance,” Mr. Bokpe noted, emphasizing a systemic failure within the Secretariat’s operational framework.

Further exacerbating the issue, the investigation highlighted that many of the programs for which these scholarships were granted are available at universities within Ghana.

This finding points to a potential misallocation of resources, prioritizing expensive foreign education over local institutions which offer similar courses.

The report also casts a light on the beneficiaries of these scholarships. Notably, it includes individuals from affluent backgrounds, such as the daughters of well-known Ghanaian lawyer and politician Freddie Blay, and former Inspector General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu.

This contradicts the Secretariat’s mission to aid needy but academically capable students, instead appearing to benefit those with financial stability and strong connections.

Moreover, the investigation revealed disparities in the distribution of scholarships, with some recipients obtaining multiple awards and others, despite qualifying, either not receiving scholarships or facing significant delays in receiving stipends.

ALSO READ: We have been investigating Scholarship Secretariat since July 2023 – Office of The Special Prosecutor

About 30 individuals linked to politicians, diplomats, and social elites were reportedly favored in the scholarship awards, pointing towards a biased and flawed selection process devoid of clear guidelines.

Mr. Bokpe criticized the opaque nature of the selection and award processes, noting the absence of public calls for applications or even the publication of beneficiary lists, which undermines the transparency and fairness expected of such programs.

“The scholarships for study abroad aren’t awarded at the local or district level but centrally in Accra, without a visible application process,” he remarked.

Furthermore, the connection of the Scholarship Secretariat to the Office of the President complicates accountability issues.

The editorial by Mr. Bokpe highlighted comments from Dr. Clement Apaak, indicating that the Secretariat operates with a certain level of immunity from scrutiny, which many see as problematic.

The Fourth Estate ‘s exposé has prompted calls for reforms within the Scholarship Secretariat to ensure it truly serves the needs of deserving students without bias or favoritism.

There is a clear need for a review of the policies governing scholarship awards, especially those funded by the state, to foster a more equitable system of educational support.

The findings suggest that the current practices not only misuse valuable resources but also fail to align with the principles of fairness and meritocracy crucial for national development.

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