By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, June 27, GNA – The Ghana Association of International Educational Consultants (GAIEC) has urged students seeking educational opportunities abroad to engage only accredited and regulated 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.
Education, Mr Asuming said, had transformed his life and inspired him to help others to access quality educational opportunities.
He explained that GAIEC was a non-profit organisation committed to training, equipping and supporting education consultants to deliver professional services while safeguarding the interests of students, international education partners, policymakers and other stakeholders.
He said the association was established to promote accountability and oversight in the education recruitment industry by ensuring that consultants adhered to professional and ethical standards.
Members, he noted, were required to comply with data protection regulations, maintain client service agreements, operate professional websites and physical offices, and uphold transparent business practices.
Mr Asuming said GAIEC regularly organised training programmes to keep members abreast of international education trends, immigration policies and best practices in student recruitment.
The association was also committed to combating misinformation, unethical conduct and exploitation in the study-abroad sector through standards founded on honesty, professionalism, transparency and accountability.
He announced plans to establish an advocacy and complaints mechanism through which students and parents could report unethical conduct by education consultants for redress, and urged prospective students and parents to seek guidance from accredited consultants rather than unregulated operators.
Dr Owusu Boakye, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Toptter Study Abroad Consult, also urged students and parents to engage certified and accredited agents when pursuing international education opportunities.
He said accredited agents received regular training and updates on immigration policies, admission requirements and industry developments, enabling them to provide accurate and reliable guidance.
He cautioned against dealing with unregulated agents whose primary interest might be financial gain rather than the welfare of students, and stressed the importance of verifying the accreditation status of both institutions and academic programmes before enrolment.
Madam Joyce Appiah-Agyemang, Managing Director of EduSol, said scholarships were awarded based on strict eligibility criteria and not automatically available to every student.
She cautioned against the misconception that students could fully finance their education through part-time work abroad, noting that such assumptions often resulted in financial difficulties.
She added that securing a visa was only one stage of the study-abroad process, and students also 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 certified education agents.
He said professional agents provided comprehensive support beyond admissions by assessing students’ academic qualifications, financial readiness and career goals, while assisting them with visa applications and scholarship opportunities.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku