NUGS Challenges Scholarship Authority Board Over Lack of Student Representation

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has strongly opposed the inauguration of the Scholarship Authority Board, citing the lack of student representation as a serious breach of fairness, transparency, and participatory governance. In a press statement released on Thursday, January 8, 2026, NUGS—which represents over 12.5 million Ghanaian students both locally and abroad—described the exclusion of students from the Board as “a departure from established practice, prior assurances, and the broader ethos of participatory governance.” “Students are not incidental stakeholders within the scholarship framework; they are its central purpose,” the union said. “A Board operating without student input risks becoming disconnected from the lived realities of beneficiaries and undermines the objectives the Authority was created to achieve.” The union called for urgent consultations between the Government, the Scholarship Authority, and NUGS to address the omission. It also urged the President, the Minister of Education, and other relevant authorities to reconstitute the Board to include meaningful student representation nominated by NUGS. Additionally, NUGS recommended amending the Scholarship Authority Act to explicitly provide for student representation, pointing to best practices in educational governance. Rashid Ibrahim, NUGS President, reaffirmed the union’s commitment to constructive dialogue but warned that NUGS would not hesitate to use all legitimate and lawful means to ensure students’ voices are considered in decisions affecting their academic futures. The union emphasized that scholarships exist to promote equity, widen access to education, and provide opportunities for students, particularly those from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds. NUGS described the current Board composition as undermining the credibility and legitimacy of the Scholarship Authority, stressing that effective public administration must be inclusive, participatory, and responsive to key stakeholders.