Hot SourceA coalition of leading civil society organisations and concerned citizens has called on Parliament to immediately suspend further consideration of the Ghana Scholarships Authority Bill, 2025, to allow for comprehensive stakeholder consultations.
In a joint statement issued on July 17, 2025, the group—including Africa Education Watch, the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), and investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni—commended the government’s effort to improve the legal and institutional framework for managing scholarships. However, they cautioned that the Bill, in its current form, lacks the necessary transparency, accountability, and inclusivity to deliver meaningful reform.
While recognising the need to strengthen Ghana’s scholarships regime, the coalition strongly rejected the urgency clause under which the Bill is being considered, arguing that there is no national emergency to justify fast-tracking such a critical piece of legislation without adequate public input.
“The Bill in its current form does not adequately address the structural weaknesses of the existing scholarships regime,” the statement said. “Rather than remedying the prevailing opacity, nepotism and political interference, it risks institutionalizing them.”
The group emphasised that any legislation affecting access to academic and professional opportunities must be informed by inclusive dialogue with all relevant stakeholders—particularly students, youth organisations, tertiary institutions, civil society actors, and development partners.
The statement also referenced the dire situation of nearly 200 Ghanaian students studying abroad who face deportation and program termination due to unpaid tuition and other financial obligations. While the Ministry of Education is reportedly working to resolve the matter, the coalition insists this crisis should not be used to justify rushing the Bill through Parliament.
They called on the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament to intervene by suspending the current legislative process and facilitating meaningful public consultation on the proposed law. The coalition stressed that this is the only way to create a credible and effective scholarships authority that meets the long-term needs of Ghanaian students and ensures fairness in scholarship distribution.
The press release was jointly signed by Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch; Dr. Kojo Asante, Director of Partnerships and Policy Engagement at CDD-Ghana; and Manasseh Azure Awuni, investigative journalist.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to supporting reform efforts but maintained that speed must not override substance when it comes to shaping the educational future of generations of Ghanaians.
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