“Ghana has brilliant but needy Ministers?” – Ghanaians react to GETFund scandal

13:10 - 24 February 2020

Ghanaians react to GETFund scandal

Ghanaians on social media have reacted angrily after some government appointees were listed as beneficiaries of the <a href="https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/local/getfund-denies-awarding-schorlarships-to-adwoa-safo-and-other-ministers/jeprqqw" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) </a>Scholarship scheme

An audited account of the scholarship secretariat revealed a list of government officials who have enjoyed GETfund scholarships for various courses abroad.

The report suggests Procurement Minister Adwoa Safo and Education Minister Mathew Opoku Prempeh were part of those who benefitted from the scholarship, which is originally meant for needy but brilliant students.

Adwoa Safo

Other beneficiaries include the Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah and the Executive Secretary of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), Dr. Prince Armah.

Many Ghanaians appear not enthused that the scholarship is not going to the right people and took to Twitter to lament the situation.

Below are some of the best tweets:

GETFund had that coming.
But this is extra disturbing. This list isn’t even for relatives and children of family friends of government officials but this time they themselves got the scholarship. Adwoa Safo you be MP wey your popee dey do robot, ibi $24k you no fit pay?
— Ab. (@AbeikuLytle) February 24, 2020

Adwoa Safo and NAPO:
Brilliant but needy Ministers on Government Scholarship.
“The real owners of Ghana are in charge now” pic.twitter.com/iqSoiO1N7m
— Che🇬🇭 (@CheEsquire) February 23, 2020

Adwoa Safo and Napo bore me. That money could have helped many of their constituents get education. You see why you should never help these guys get elected. Kwasia line sei
— PRIME MINISTER OF GHANA ®️ (@ONEKEPLER) February 24, 2020

So Ajoa Safo wrote to NHIS for sponsorship to attend a program at Harvard Kennedy School.And it appear, the scholarship secretariat made payment. READ attached documents. What benefit did we get as a nation?Meanwhile, we’re engaging in wasteful spending when NHIS is in arrears. pic.twitter.com/MMxLOcDONE
— Mind Of Dreams 🇬🇭🇳🇬🇱🇷🇨🇰 (@SamYoun42) February 23, 2020

GETFUND paid $17,004 tuition fee + $12,800 living expenses for ADWOA SAFO, Procurement Minister. Meanwhile the conference cost $8,500 (per Harvard invoice) and same conference was paid for by NHIA.

Question now is which conference did GETFUND pay for at the same Harvard? pic.twitter.com/VhQYJIp7tB
— Che🇬🇭 (@CheEsquire) February 24, 2020