In a decisive move to ensure transparency and inclusivity in education reform, Parliament has suspended consideration of the Ghana Scholarships Authority Bill, 2025, following a formal request from Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu.
The Minister informed the House during proceedings on July 17, 2025, that the suspension was necessary to allow for broader consultations with civil society organizations, students, and education stakeholders.
“Mr Speaker, the Office of the President has related to me some concerns that have been communicated. I sought the chairman’s indulgence if we can stay further consideration as I do the consultation,” Minister Iddrisu stated, adding that a meeting with the Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Education is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
The Ghana Scholarships Authority Bill, laid before Parliament on July 8, 2025, seeks to transform the existing Scholarships Secretariat into a full-fledged Scholarships Authority.
The proposed legislation aims to Eliminate nepotism and cronyism in scholarship awards, Ensure scholarships are allocated based on merit and need, Prioritize support for critical disciplines such as science, mathematics, and education and End government-funded foreign scholarships for courses available in Ghanaian universities
The bill also introduces a centralized governance structure with expanded powers to manage scholarship disbursement, monitoring, and evaluation.
While the intent of the bill has been broadly welcomed, several civil society groups, including Africa Education Watch, CDD-Ghana, and investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, have raised concerns about its governance framework.
In a joint statement, the Citizens’ Coalition argued that the bill risks entrenching executive control and lacks sufficient safeguards for transparency and accountability.
“There is no known emergency in the management of scholarships that justifies the speedy consideration of this all-important bill without public consultation,” the coalition stated, urging Parliament to suspend the legislative process and allow for meaningful stakeholder engagement.
The suspension reflects growing consensus that reforms affecting access to academic and professional opportunities must be Inclusive, involving students, tertiary institutions, and civil society, Transparent, with clear mechanisms for merit-based selection, Legitimate, shaped by public input and aligned with international best practices
Minister Iddrisu reaffirmed his commitment to consult widely and incorporate feedback before the bill returns to Parliament.
He emphasized that the goal is to create a credible and equitable scholarships regime that serves the long-term interests of Ghanaian students.
The bill is part of President Mahama’s broader education reform agenda, which includes, The No Fees Stress Policy for first-year tertiary students, The President’s Scholarship for top-performing WASSCE candidates, Increased funding for the Students Loan Trust and support for students with disabilities
As consultations begin, stakeholders are hopeful that the final version of the Ghana Scholarships Authority Bill will reflect the values of fairness, opportunity, and national development.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
