Education Minister to Present Bill to Parliament in May
Accra, Ghana - 13 April, 2025 - Ghana's Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced that President John Mahama has tasked him with presenting the Ghana Scholarship Authority Bill to Parliament this May.
The proposed bill seeks to reform the country's scholarship system by prioritizing merit-based awards over those influenced by personal connections, aiming to eliminate cronyism and nepotism.
Mr. Iddrisu, addressed a 17-member Board of Trustees for the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) during its inauguration in Accra. He emphasized that the proposed bill aims to eliminate cronyism and nepotism in government scholarship awards, instead focusing on merit-based allocations and strengthening educational institutions' faculty capacity.
"Apart from dealing with cronyism and nepotism and giving scholarships to those who are undeserving, the emphasis will be on meritocracy and helping our institutions build faculty," he stated.
The Minister tasked the Board with ensuring substantial financing for the Free Senior High School initiative and maintaining reliable food supplies for schools. He also urged the Board to align GETFund allocations with President Mahama's research agenda for education, which seeks to equip learners with 21st-century competencies.
"Ideally, I would say 35 per cent should go into basic education, 40 per cent into higher education, and 25 per cent into free SHS, on the condition that we still have some financial support from the Ministry of Finance," he said.
Additionally, Minister Iddrisu stressed the importance of prioritizing basic education funding as key to overall educational success.
"We trust that this Board of Trustees will continue to support institutions of higher learning to expand and improve access, quality, and relevance of education," he added, urging the Board to make budgetary provisions for emergencies in the education sector.
The 17-member Board of Trustees for the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) comprises diverse representatives from various sectors. Here's the list of board members:
- Government Representatives:
- Prof Ahmed Jinapor - Ghana Tertiary Education Commission
- Prof Ernest Davis - Ghana Education Service
- Mrs Mamle Andrews - Ministry of Education
- Mr Masawudu Mahama - Ministry of Finance
- Financial and Industry Experts:
- Mr John Awuah - Ghana Bankers Association
- Mr Seth Kobla Aklasi - Ghana Insurers Association
- Mr Anthony Kwasi Sarpong - Ghana Revenue Authority
- Education and Student Representatives:
- Mr Paul Adjei - GETFund
- Ms Philippa Larsen - Ghana National Association of Teachers
- Rev Prof John Frank Eshun - Technical Universities
- Mr Daniel Nii Botchway - National Union of Ghana Students
- Civil Society and Private Sector Representatives:
- Rev Dr Cyril G.K. Fayose - Religious Bodies
- Ms Patience Abla Ganyo - National Pensions Regulatory Authority
- Ms Grace Amey-Obeng - Association of Ghana Industries
- Madam Francisca Atuluk - National Council on Women and Development
- Mr Alexander Frimpong - Ghana Employers’ Association
Source: Lead News Online
