The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has strongly criticised the inauguration of the Scholarship Authority Board, raising concerns over the absence of student representation.

In a statement issued on Thursday, January 8, NUGS said the exclusion of students from the Board undermines fairness, transparency, and participatory governance, describing it as a departure from established practice and earlier assurances.

According to the union, students are the primary beneficiaries of scholarships and must therefore play an active role in decisions that shape the framework meant to support them.

“Students are not incidental stakeholders within the scholarship framework; they are its core purpose,” the statement said, warning that a board without student input risks losing touch with the realities faced by beneficiaries.

NUGS called for immediate engagement between the government, the Scholarship Authority, and the union to address what it described as a critical omission. It further appealed to the president, the minister of education, and other relevant authorities to reconstitute the board to include student representatives nominated by NUGS.

The union also proposed amendments to the Scholarship Authority Act to formally guarantee student representation, in line with best practices in education governance.

NUGS President Rashid Ibrahim said the union remains committed to constructive dialogue but will pursue all lawful means to ensure students’ voices are heard in matters affecting their academic futures.

The union stressed that scholarships are intended to promote equity and expand access to education, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged students, adding that the current board composition risks undermining the credibility and legitimacy of the Scholarship Authority.