An investigation by the Fourth Estate has revealed that over 100 beneficiaries of the Scholarship Secretariat remain abroad.
According to a Senior reporter Seth Bokpe approximately 104 beneficiaries of the Scholarship Secretariat, who pursued studies abroad, have yet to return to Ghana despite signing agreements with the Secretariat promising their return upon completion of their programs.
This disclosure follows an investigation conducted by the media outlet into the operations of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat.
Speaking to Accra-based Joy News, Mr Bokpe emphasized that many of the sponsored courses are available in Ghanaian universities.
He further highlighted that three of these beneficiaries have resided abroad for the past five years, raising questions about how they were able to sign the agreements before receiving the scholarships.
“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 comes in the wake of a recent exposé by The Fourth Estate, which uncovered irregularities in the distribution of scholarships.
Among the findings was evidence that scholarships were sometimes awarded to individuals from financially affluent backgrounds, including the daughters of prominent figures such as lawyer and politician Freddie Blay and former Inspector General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu.
Such practices contradict the Scholarship Secretariat’s mandate of providing scholarships to needy but brilliant students.
The investigation also revealed instances where some individuals either struggled to secure scholarships or encountered difficulties in receiving stipends from the government, while others received multiple scholarships from the Secretariat.
Source: Newsalertgh