Amend GETFund law to streamline award of scholarships – Peter Nortsu-Kotoe

Ranking Member on the Education Committee of parliament is calling for the immediate amendment of the GETFund law to explicitly forbid it from awarding scholarships to individuals who do not qualify as needy but brilliant.

A latest Auditor General report found that the scheme gave scholarships meant for needy students to some Members of Parliament and other politically connected individuals.

This development has been received with backlash from the general public, some of whom question the basis on which the said personalities could be described as financially deprived.

The GETFund itself had justified the scholarships claiming the law allows it to fund other activities and programs for the promotion of education.

But speaking to JoyNews, the Minority spokesperson on Education, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe says that provision is often abused and must be scrapped.

“Anytime the formula came out for discussion, I have always called for an amendment to the GETFund laws, specifically a number of the sections. One of the sections is where this award of scholarship falls.

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“If you look at Section (B) where GETFund is to do other things, the scholarship is not mentioned for foreign students.” Mr Nortsu-Kotoe said.

Executive Director of the Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare also backs the call. He says GETFund also needs an urgent Legislative Instrument.

According to him, “the lack of a legislative instrument for the GETFund Secretariat opens it up for political interference.”

Mr Asare further explained that: The GETFund is set up in the law as a fund manager and has no mandate to administer scholarships.”