The Ghana National Union of Technical Students (GNUTS) has strongly objected to the inauguration of the Scholarship Authority Board, citing the absence of student representation as a major flaw in its composition.
In a statement, GNUTS described the exclusion as unacceptable and counterproductive, arguing that students, particularly those in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, are the primary beneficiaries of scholarship schemes and should not be sidelined in decisions that directly affect their education and welfare.
The union warned that a board constituted without student voices raises concerns about legitimacy, transparency, equity and democratic accountability.
According to GNUTS, scholarship policies on eligibility, disbursement timelines, sector prioritisation and grievance redress have direct implications for technical students, whose training often involves additional costs such as tools, equipment, workshops and industrial attachments.
GNUTS further expressed concern that the absence of student representation could worsen long-standing disparities in scholarship access for technical and TVET students, lead to inequitable allocation criteria, and contribute to persistent delays in disbursement.
The union also noted that limited feedback and appeal mechanisms for students could weaken accountability and erode trust in the Scholarship Authority’s operations.
The union stressed that inclusive governance is a core principle of effective public administration and said excluding students departs from established best practices in education-sector governance.
It argued that the move also contradicts Ghana’s broader national agenda on skills development, youth employment and industrial transformation.
GNUTS has therefore rejected the current composition of the Scholarship Authority Board and is demanding the immediate inclusion of a student representative, with specific consideration for technical and TVET students.
The union called on the government, the Ministry of Education and the Scholarship Authority to uphold inclusivity and participatory governance.
GNUTS reaffirmed its readiness to engage constructively with all stakeholders, insisting that scholarship systems designed to support access to education and social mobility cannot be effectively governed without student involvement.
