By Kodjo Adams
Accra, April 10, GNA – Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, has disclosed that President John Mahama has directed him to present the Ghana Scholarship Authority bill to Parliament when it reconvenes in May.
Speaking in Accra during the inauguration of a 17-member Board of Trustees for the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), he said the bill aims to address cronyism and nepotism in awarding government scholarships.
“Apart from dealing with the 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 to ensure substantial financing for the Free Senior High School initiative and maintain reliable food supplies for schools.
He urged them to align GETFund allocations with President Mahama’s research agenda for education to train learners with 21st-century competencies, values, and aptitudes.
Mr. Iddrisu emphasized prioritizing basic education funding as key to educational success.
“Ideally, I will have said 35 per cent should go into basic education, 40 per cent into higher education, and 25 per cent into free senior high, on condition that we still have some financing support from the Ministry of Finance,” he said.
Mr Iddrisu directed the Board to address infrastructure challenges in secondary schools due to increased enrolment from the free SHS programme.
He also announced plans to support public universities in funding at least five PhDs locally.
The Minister called for the completion of over 300 uncompleted GETFund projects to ensure value for money.
“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 them to make budgetary provisions for emergencies in the education sector.
Mr. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Chairman of the GETFund Board, expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to fulfill their mandate.
The board members include Prof. Ahmed Jinapor, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission; Prof Ernest Davis, Ghana Education Service; Mr Masawudu Mahama, Ministry of Finance; Rev. Dr Cyril G.K. Fayose, Religious Bodies and Mr Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, Ghana Revenue Authority.
Others are Mr Paul Adjei, GETFund; Mrs Mamle Andrews, Ministry of Education; Mr John Awuah, Ghana Bankers Association; Mr Seth Kobla Aklasi, Ghana Insurers Association; Ms Patience Abla Ganyo, National Pensions Regulatory Authority; and Rev Prof John Frank Eshun, Technical Universities.
The rest are Ms Philippa Larsen, Ghana National Association of Teachers; Mr Daniel Nii Botchway, National Union of Ghana Students; Ms Grace Amey-Obeng, Association of Ghana Industries; Madam Franscisca Atuluk, National Council on Women and Development; and Mr Alexander Frimpong, Ghana Employers’ Association.
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