By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, June 26, GNA –The Ghana Association of International Educational Consultants (GAIEC) has called on students and parents seeking education opportunities abroad to work only with accredited and regulated education agents to avoid fraud, misinformation and costly mistakes.
Mr Richard Obeng Asuming, President of GAIEC, said the association was established to bring together education recruitment professionals, promote ethical standards and improve the quality of international education consultancy services in Ghana.
He made the call at the launch of the Association in Accra on Thursday.
Mr Asuming said education had transformed his life and inspired him to help others access quality educational opportunities.
He explained that GAIEC was a non profit organisation dedicated to training, equipping and supporting education consultants to provide professional services while protecting the interests of students, international education partners, policymakers and other stakeholders.
He said the association was created to promote accountability and oversight in the education recruitment industry and ensure that consultants adhere to professional standards and ethical practices.
Mr Asuming said members were required to comply with data protection regulations, maintain client service agreements, operate professional websites and physical offices, and uphold transparent business practices
He noted that the association regularly organised training programmes to keep members updated on international education trends, immigration policies and best practices in student recruitment.
The President said GAIEC was committed to combating misinformation, unethical conduct and exploitation within the study-abroad sector through strict standards based on honesty, professionalism, transparency and accountability.
He announced plans to establish an advocacy and complaints mechanism through which students and parents could report concerns or unethical conduct by education consultants for redress.
Mr Asuming urged prospective students and parents to seek guidance from accredited consultants rather than unregulated operators who might provide misleading information.
Dr Owusu Boakye, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Toptter Study Abroad Consult, said there was the need for students and parents to engage certified and accredited agents when pursuing international education opportunities.
He explained that accredited agents received regular training and updates on immigration policies, admission requirements and industry developments, enabling them to provide accurate and reliable information to clients.
Dr Boakye warned against dealing with unregulated agents whose primary interest might be financial gain rather than the welfare of students.
He also underscored the importance of verifying the accreditation status of both institutions and academic programmes before enrolment.
Madam Joyce Appiah Agyemang, Managing Director of EduSol, noted that scholarships were not automatically available to all students but were awarded based on strict eligibility requirements.
She cautioned against the belief that students could fully finance their education through part-time employment abroad, saying such assumptions often led to financial difficulties.
She said obtaining a visa was only one stage of the study abroad process and that students required preparation for immigration interviews, travel requirements and cultural adaptation.
Mr Robert Wagubi, Co-founder of the Professional Association of International Education Consultants in Uganda, identified accountability, professionalism, honesty and transparency as the four core values that should guide the work of certified agents.
Mr Wagubi said professional agents provided comprehensive support beyond admissions, including assessing students’ academic qualifications, financial readiness and career goals, while helping them navigate visa applications and scholarship opportunities.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku