NDC will prohibit politically exposed persons from accessing government scholarships – Ablakwa

The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says politically exposed persons will be barred from benefiting from government scholarship under the next NDC government.

Hence, a new legislation will be introduced to reform the country’s scholarship system.

“We have politically exposed persons, ministers, MPs, government officials fighting with the vulnerable, poor people in North Tongu and elsewhere. Brilliant but needy people fighting with tall politicians, elite who are so endowed, who have resources.”

“They are grabbing the scholarships for themselves, and we all know the story that one is out there campaigning. He doesn’t even show remorse, ” he said at press briefing on Tuesday, September 3.

He lamented the infiltration of the scholarship system by corruption and accused some politicians and high-ranking officials of denying the underprivileged the right to enjoy the scholarship benefits.

“If you are a government minister, serving under Mahama, you, your wife and children cannot benefit. No appointee can benefit from scholarship. We are going to have a law and it will be clear. The corruption has no limits. Even poor vulnerable poor people, they are exploiting them.”

“So, we are saying that enough of this madness. We are going to have a new law to regulate scholarships and make sure the scholarships are reserved for the poor, vulnerable, needy but brilliant and those who are going to pursue courses that align with our strategic national development objectives,” he said.

A recent investigative report by the Fourth Estate revealed how some politically exposed persons won scholarships not on merit.

According to the expose, what is supposed to be merit-based scholarship scheme to help brilliant but needy Ghanaians is being rigged in favour of those wo are connected to the political elite.

This caused a public uproar as calls heightened for the resignation or dismissal of the Scholarship Secretariat boss.
The NDC is promising a new dawn in the administration of the scholarships to ensure the right persons enjoy it.

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