In a recent statement, Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei, the Director-General of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, addressed serious accusations made by Kofi Owusu Nkansah, the former CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP). Nkansah alleged that scholarships were being sold for prices reaching up to GH¢100,000, particularly benefiting members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under the current administration.
Asafo-Agyei responded to these claims on February 3, 2026, emphasizing that they were unfounded. He pointed out that no scholarships have been awarded for studies in the United Kingdom since the government of John Dramani Mahama took office. ‘The assertion that scholarships have been sold is simply not true,’ he stated. ‘Our administration has not issued any scholarships for the UK, and this has been consistently communicated to relevant UK institutions.’
The Director-General expressed concern that Nkansah’s comments seemed to be a strategy to gain attention for his political party, which is struggling with public perception. He noted, ‘It is disheartening to see such allegations, especially when we have made it clear that our scholarship programs are firmly merit-based, and not influenced by wealth or connections.’
Asafo-Agyei reiterated the commitment to ensure that scholarships are awarded only to deserving candidates. He criticized the previous administration for practices that allegedly prioritized privileged individuals, stating, ‘The era where the influential could manipulate scholarship opportunities is over.’
Nkensah’s claims included specific allegations that individuals, including NPP members, had purchased scholarships. He suggested that this practice continued even under the new administration, stating, ‘Regardless of which party is in power, these irregularities persist.’
In light of the accusations, Asafo-Agyei welcomed investigations by the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) to clarify the truth behind these claims. ‘It is imperative that we maintain transparency and accountability in our processes,’ he added.
The dialogue surrounding scholarship distribution in Ghana continues to evoke strong opinions, as citizens express their views on social media regarding the integrity of the system.
