The education sector in Ghana has been the subject of recent scrutiny, especially when it comes to government scholarships for pre-medical studies abroad.
It has come to light that the daughter of the National Film Authority, Juliet Asante, Zina Asante, was able to secure admission to Emmanuel College in the United States for a pre-medicine program at a hefty cost of USD41,026 in 2018.
Interestingly, Zina Asante was not the only recipient of such a scholarship. Araba Twumasi Mensah, the daughter of former MP Joe Mensah, was also one of the lucky few who received funding for the same pre-medical program.
Miss Mensah pursued her studies at the University of Oklahoma from 2019 to 2023, benefiting from a substantial annual scholarship of USD36,675.
In another case, the son of prominent NPP member and former MP, Captain Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, Adom Effah-Dartey, received a scholarship in 2019 to pursue a Bachelor of Law degree at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK.
The Scholarship Secretariat covered a significant portion of the course fees, amounting to GBP19,130.
These examples highlight the influence that prominent figures in society can have when it comes to securing educational opportunities for their children.
While it is encouraging to see talented individuals being supported in their academic pursuits, questions may arise regarding the fairness and transparency of the selection process for such scholarships.
The authorities need to ensure that all deserving students, regardless of their connections or background, have equal access to these valuable opportunities for higher education.
