Parliament to pass Scholarships Authority Bill this week 

Parliament is expected to take the Ghana Scholarships Authority Bill,  2025 through the third reading and pass it into law before  the house goes on recess in a few days.

The bill is aimed at putting in place a central body  to manage and administer scholarships in Ghana efficiently.

It is currently under the Consideration Stage where clauses in the bill are undergoing scrutiny as part of the winnowing process to separe the chaff from the grains.

This is to ensure that when the bill is passed into law and assented to by President John Mahama, it would be fit for purpose.

Among some of amendment being proposed and expected to be inserted into the bill is that in assessing an application for scholarship,  consideration shall be given to the academic excellence, the financial need and leadership and extra curricular involvement of an applicant seeking scholarship.

Other things to be taken into consideration would be the special talent and skills of  applicants, the field of study and career goal of applicants.

Consideration would also be given to persons with disability among others.

Another amendment being proposed for insertion in the bill is that a person who benefits from a scholarship to study outside the country shall, subject to the terms and conditions determined by the Authority, return to serve the country after completion of the programme of study.

A person who contravenes this subsection shall pay the Authority a refund of the total amount of the scholarship awarded to the person.

There will also be a refund of the interest on the total amount of the scholarship at the prevailing Bank of Ghana rate.

The bill is focusing on streamlining the scholarship application and disbursement processes to ensure  transparency and efficiency  in providing access to education for deserving students in Ghana.

It is expected that this bill when passed  would ensure that a scholarship awarded by the Authority shall be based on the merit of applicants, the developmental need of the country or the need to improve international cooperation.

In another development, Parliament’s Committee on Economy and Development is expected to hold discussions with officials of the Produce Buying Company limited on the status of the company.

Also the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs is to hold discussions with officials from the Ghana Nebraska Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations Chamber and a delegation of the State Senators from Nebraska.

By Eunice Menka

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