The government is set to introduce the Scholarship Authority Bill in Parliament next week, a move aimed at eradicating nepotism and cronyism in the allocation of scholarships.
This announcement was made by the Education Minister, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, during the launch of the “No Fees Stress Policy” initiative at the SDA College of Education in Koforidua.
He noted that the “No Fees Stress Policy” is a key component of President John Dramani Mahama’s campaign promises, designed to boost enrollment in tertiary institutions across the country. Under this policy, all first-year students in public tertiary institutions will benefit from free tuition.
In addition to this, President Mahama also launched the “President’s Scholarship,” which will grant scholarships to 10 exceptional students, as identified by the West African Examinations Council, who demonstrate excellence in critical areas such as Science, Mathematics, and Engineering. The policy further extends its support to persons with disabilities, guaranteeing them full fee payment.
To provide additional financial assistance to students, the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) is slated to double its allocation to the Student Loan Trust from GH¢70 million to GH¢150 million in the upcoming academic year.
The launch event was attended by notable local dignitaries, including New Juabeng Manhene Nana Kwaku Boateng III and New Juabenmanhemaa Nana Juaben Serwaa III.