SOURCE: MYJOYONLINE
Some wealthy individuals and relatives of politicians in Ghana enjoyed government’s scholarship meant for the needy sparking public shock.
Dr Dennis Addo is by all indications an accomplished man. He is the founder and CEO of the Claron Hospital and co-founder of Bisa, an international award-winning health app.
His hospital, located on a quiet street in the affluent Airport Residential area in Accra, caters for some of the country’s elite with deep pockets.
He is apparently so good at what he does that he was appointed to the board of the National Health Insurance Authority from 2017-2020.
Dr Addo, by all indications, is not a poor man. He is not a man in need and he’s certainly not so desperate to further his education to boost his life chances.
Yet, when he decided to pursue a degree in Public Administration at Harvard University, it was the Ghana government, through its Scholarship Secretariat, that paid $50,031 for his tuition and living expenses in the United States in 2019.
Dr Dennis Addo
See List of Alleged Individuals who Enjoyed Government Scholarship in Ghana
In the fiscal years 2019-2020, the Scholarship Secretariat disbursed substantial amounts of funds, including at least £291,480, $146,502 USD, and $7,685 CAD, to support the education of select individuals closely associated with the political elite.
Former Inspector-General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu’s daughter, Nana Asabea Asante-Apeatu is one of the recipients.
Former Inspector-General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu’s daughter, Nana Asabea Asante-Apeatu
Zina Asante (right) is the daughter of actress Juliet Asante who is now the CEO of the National Film Authority
Zina Asante (right) is the daughter of actress Juliet Asante who is now the CEO of the National Film Authority
Lucie Blay Ekeleba (middle) is the daughter of influential parents, Mr Freddie Blay, the Chairman of the Board of the GNPC and Ghana’s Ambassador to Germany, Gina Blay
lucie blay ekeleba (middle) is the daughter of influential parents, mr freddie blay, the chairman of the board of the gnpc and ghana’s ambassador to germany, gina blay
Gifty Oware-Mensah’s Disputed Scholarship
One notable case is that of Gifty Oware-Mensah, who allegedly obtained a government scholarship amounting to £18,450 to pursue an MSc in Development Policy and Politics at the University of Birmingham in 2020. However, when contacted by The Fourth Estate, she denied receiving any such scholarship, raising questions about the transparency of the allocation process.
The NSS Deputy Director, Gifty Oware-Mensah (nee Oware-Aboagye)
Ken Ofori-Atta relative Michael Ofori-Atta Jr
Michael Ofori-Atta Jr., a relative of President Nana Akufo-Addo and former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, received £16,740 from the Scholarship Secretariat to enroll in a Foundation Pathways program at the University of Birmingham. His political affiliations raise concerns about the fairness of scholarship allocation.
Ken Ofori-Atta’s relative, Michael Ofori-Atta Jr
Celestina Amoako Atta
Another instance is Celestina Amoako Atta, an NPP youth activist, who reportedly received a GBP27,980 scholarship to study Information Business Management and Digital Business at Coventry University in the UK. Despite attempts to contact her, she did not respond, adding to the opacity surrounding elite scholarships.
Celestina Amoako Atta, The NPP youth activist
Nana Poku Frefre
Nana Poku Frefre, a leading NPP member, was awarded a £28,080 scholarship for an MSc in Strategic Studies and Energy Security at the University of Aberdeen. His decision to opt for a better scholarship from GETFund underscores the competition for elite scholarships.
The allocation of scholarships to politically connected individuals and their associates raises concerns about fairness and transparency in Ghana’s educational funding. As the Scholarship Secretariat faces scrutiny, questions persist about the equitable distribution of educational opportunities among deserving students.
