The Member of Parliament for Builsa South and Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Dr. Clement Apaak, has called for the enactment of a law to regulate Government of Ghana scholarships.

Dr. Apaak's remarks come in response to public outrage sparked by an investigative report conducted by the 4th Estate, which exposed discrepancies in the allocation and status of beneficiaries of government scholarships.

"Many citizens have expressed revulsion and disappointment with regard to some identified beneficiaries of government scholarships exposed by the 4th Estate's investigative report on activities at the Scholarship Secretariat," Dr. Apaak stated in a statement he issued Thursday.

He emphasised the need for a comprehensive legal framework to govern the awarding of government scholarships, proposing the establishment of an independent authority or commission mandated to oversee and administer these scholarships.

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"It is my candid view that we need a law on Government of Ghana scholarships," Dr. Apaak asserted, adding that "Such a law must regulate, guide, and outline criteria for the award of Government scholarships, giving priority to needy but brilliant students."

Dr. Apaak highlighted the current lack of defined criteria for qualifying for government scholarships, and noted that this ambiguity has led to discretion and potential abuse in the selection process.

"As it is now, there are no defined criteria about who qualifies for a government scholarship nor guidelines on how qualified applicants are evaluated and selected to benefit from Government of Ghana scholarships," he explained.

He further criticised the existing arrangement, where the Scholarship Secretariat operates under the Office of the President, suggesting that it perpetuates favouritism towards individuals with socio-economic and political connections.

"Until such a law is passed, the current arrangement will continue skewing opportunities in favour of the wards, relatives, and friends of the socio-economic and political elite to the detriment of truly needy but brilliant students," Dr. Apaak cautioned.

The investigative piece by the 4^th Estate exposed the critical lack of transparency, accountability, and fairness in the distribution of educational scholarship opportunities in Ghana, and how the wards of wealthy and highly connected individuals ended up being awarded scholarships meant for needy but brilliant students.