The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has called for wider stakeholder engagement before the passage of the Ghana Scholarship Authority Bill, 2025.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish the Ghana Scholarships Authority to regulate the administration and disbursement of government scholarships in a transparent and equitable manner.
It aims to replace the current Ghana Scholarships Secretariat, which has operated without a legislative framework since its establishment in 1960.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 17, NUGS expressed disappointment over the lack of consultation with students, the primary beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme.
The union criticized the government’s decision to push the Bill through Parliament under a certificate of urgency without engaging key stakeholders.
“As the largest constituency of beneficiaries under any national scholarship regime, students through NUGS have not been consulted in the formulation of this crucial legislation. Our preliminary review of the Bill reveals a significant oversight: the absence of student representation on the proposed Governing Board of the new Ghana Scholarship Authority.”
“This omission fails to reflect the principle of participatory governance and disregards the legitimate role of students in decision-making processes that directly affect their educational and professional futures,” the statement said.
The union also raised concerns over the absence of student representation on the proposed Governing Board of the Authority, describing it as a significant oversight that undermines the principles of participatory governance.
NUGS further argued that the urgency clause is unjustified, emphasizing that the Bill’s implications are far-reaching and warrant inclusive national dialogue rather than fast-tracking.
“Reforming the scholarships regime in Ghana must not be reduced to administrative restructuring, it must aim at achieving transparency, equity, accountability, and meritocracy. These goals cannot be realized without a comprehensive engagement of stakeholders, including students, tertiary institutions, youth organizations, civil society, and development partners,” the union added.
NUGS urged the Speaker of Parliament to suspend the passage of the Bill and initiate broader consultations.
The union also reaffirmed its readiness to participate constructively in shaping a law that reflects the aspirations of Ghanaian students.
Below is the statement
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
