Parliament has passed the Ghana Scholarship Authority Bill, granting the Authority a strengthened and independent mandate to award scholarships free from political interference.

Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured the public that the Authority will operate autonomously, with scholarship awards determined strictly by merit, financial need and national development priorities.

He described the new law as a decisive break from past practices where political influence undermined fairness in the allocation of scholarships.

Passed in November, the legislation establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the regulation and administration of scholarships, with the aim of enhancing transparency, accountability and equity.

Mr. Iddrisu criticised previous instances in which public officials allegedly exploited their positions to influence scholarship awards for personal or political gain, describing such actions as a breach of public trust.

The new law introduces clear eligibility criteria and operational guidelines to ensure that scholarship decisions are based on objective standards rather than discretion.

According to the Minister, the framework is designed to eliminate cronyism and corruption while guaranteeing equal opportunities for qualified Ghanaians.

Mr. Iddrisu further indicated that the government plans to strategically deploy scholarships to support key sectors critical to Ghana’s development, particularly in science, technology and innovation.

As part of this approach, beneficiaries will be supported to acquire skills in emerging and high-demand fields, including artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.

The enhanced independence of the Ghana Scholarship Authority has been widely welcomed as a significant step toward strengthening good governance and restoring public confidence in the scholarship system.

Both the Minister and his Deputy have pledged non-interference in the Authority’s operations, stressing that all awards will be guided solely by merit, need and national interest.

The reform is expected to reinforce trust in the government’s commitment to education, transparency and fair governance, while ensuring that public resources are effectively invested in developing the human capital required for Ghana’s long-term growth.