By Senior Reporter Seth Bokpe from The Fourth Estate has disclosed that approximately 104 beneficiaries of the Scholarship Secretariat, who pursued studies abroad, have not yet returned to Ghana.
This revelation stems from an investigative report conducted by the media outlet into the operations of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat.
Bokpe emphasized that, despite signing bonds with the Secretariat committing to return to Ghana upon completion of their programs, these beneficiaries have not honored their obligations.
“Majority of these courses we spend money on outside are in Ghanaian universities. We also found that at least 104 beneficiaries are yet to return to Ghana although they have signed bonds to do so.”
“At least three of these beneficiaries have been living abroad in the last five years, and it will be interesting to find out how they even signed their bonds before being given the scholarship,” Mr Bokpe added.
This revelation follows a recent exposé by the Fourth Estate, which uncovered disparities in the distribution of scholarships.
Among the findings, the investigation highlighted instances where scholarships were awarded to individuals from affluent households.
Among those identified are the daughters of Ghanaian lawyer and politician, Freddie Blay, and former Inspector General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu. Such selections contradict the organization’s mandate of providing scholarships to financially disadvantaged yet academically talented students.
Also, the report revealed that while some people do not get the scholarships and even if they do, struggle to get their stipend from the government, others are awarded double scholarships by the secretariat.
Addressing these findings, Mr Bokpe said they discovered that about 30 people who are either politicians, relatives of politicians, diplomats or are connected to our social elites had a scholarship.
He highlighted that the Scholarship Secretariat lacks specific guidelines for applicant selection beyond the current criteria of Ghanaian citizenship and possession of a university degree.
“Contrary to the claims that the award has been decentralised to the extent that if you go to the district level you will get a scholarship, there is no evidence that those who went abroad were actually awarded at the district level,” Mr Bokpe said.
He added “The registrar told us that because of the courses involved, they do not award the foreign scholarships at the local level, so you have to apply in Accra. Now how do you apply in Accra if there is no call for application? There is no publication of even the list of beneficiaries to make the process transparent.”
Mr Bokpe added that their interview with Dr Clement Apaak showed that the Secretariat cannot be held accountable because it is under the Office of the President.
“When you hear the number of allegations that come against the Secretariat including people saying they paid so much to get it but then you have a situation where they are virtually shielded, it becomes problematic,” he said.
