The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu has disclosed that President John Mahama has directed him to present the Ghana Scholarship Authority Bill to Parliament when the house reconvenes in May.
Speaking in Accra during the inauguration of a 17-member Board of Trustees for the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), he said the bill aims to address cronyism and nepotism in the awarding of government scholarships.
“Apart from dealing with cronyism and nepotism and giving scholarships to those who are undeserving, the emphasis will be on meritocracy and helping our institutions build faculty,” he stated.
The Minister tasked the Board with ensuring substantial financing for the Free Senior High School (SHS) initiative and maintaining reliable food supplies for schools.
He urged the Board to align GETFund allocations with President Mahama’s research agenda for education, which seeks to train learners with 21st-century competencies, values, and aptitudes.
Mr Iddrisu emphasised the need to prioritise basic education funding as key to educational success.
“Ideally, I would say 35 per cent should go into basic education, 40 per cent into higher education, and 25 per cent into free SHS, on the condition that we still have some financial support from the Ministry of Finance,” he said.
He also directed the Board to address infrastructure challenges in secondary schools caused by increased enrolment under the Free SHS programme.
The Minister announced plans to support public universities in funding at least five PhD scholarships locally.
He further called for the completion of over 300 uncompleted GETFund projects to ensure value for money.
“We trust that this Board of Trustees will continue to support institutions of higher learning to expand and improve access, quality, and relevance of education,” he added, urging the Board to make budgetary provisions for emergencies in the education sector.
Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Chairman of the GETFund Board, expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to fulfil their mandate.
Board members include: Prof Ahmed Jinapor, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission; Prof Ernest Davis, Ghana Education Service; Mr Masawudu Mahama, Ministry of Finance; Rev Dr Cyril G.K. Fayose, Religious Bodies; and Mr Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, Ghana Revenue Authority.
Others are: Mr Paul Adjei, GETFund; Mrs Mamle Andrews, Ministry of Education; Mr John Awuah, Ghana Bankers Association; Mr Seth Kobla Aklasi, Ghana Insurers Association; Ms Patience Abla Ganyo, National Pensions Regulatory Authority; and Rev Prof John Frank Eshun, Technical Universities.
The rest are: Ms Philippa Larsen, Ghana National Association of Teachers; Mr Daniel Nii Botchway, National Union of Ghana Students; Ms Grace Amey-Obeng, Association of Ghana Industries; Madam Francisca Atuluk, National Council on Women and Development; and Mr Alexander Frimpong, Ghana Employers’ Association.
What happens next?
The Constitution of Ghana under Article 93(2) vests legislative power to Parliament. Under Article 106 of the Constitution 1992, Parliament makes laws through “Bills” which for it to become law it must be assented by the president. Article 106(2) of the Constitution provides
No bill, other than such a bill as is referred to in paragraph (a) of article 108 of this Constitution, shall be introduced in Parliament unless-
(a) it is accompanied by an explanatory memorandum setting out in details the policy and principles of the bill, the defects of the existing law, the remedies proposed to deal with those defects and the necessity for its introduction; and
(b) it has been published in the Gazette at least fourteen days before the date of its introduction in Parliament.
After the bill has been drafted by the Minister, it must be laid in Parliament. Article 106(4) provides that the bill is first time read in Parliament and referred to the appropriate committee which shall examine the bill in detail and make inquiries as the committee considers necessary. The Bill will then be deliberated by the committee and the send a report to Parliament for it to be debated upon.
The assent of the bill by the president is required to gibe the Bill the status of law. Article 106(7) states;
Where a bill passed by Parliament is presented to the President for assent he shall signify, within seven days after the presentation, to the Speaker that he assents to the bill or that he refuses to assent to the bill, unless the bill has been referred by the President to the Council of State under article 90 of this Constitution
And in a situation where the President refuses to assent to the Bill, article 106 (8) provides;
Where the President refuses to assent to a bill, he shall, within fourteen days after the refusal
(a) state in a memorandum to the Speaker any specific provisions of the bill which in his opinion should be reconsidered by Parliament, including his recommendations for amendments if any; or
(b) inform the Speaker that he has referred the bill to the Council of State for consideration and comment under
article 90 of this Constitution
Parliament can override the President’s rejection of a bill by a resolution supported by at least two thirds of the members of Parliament. If such resolution is adopted article 106(10) of the Constitution mandates the President to assent to the Bill. This residual given to Parliament under article 106(10) enables Parliament to overrule the President initial refusal to assent to a Bill.
MyJoyOnline by Isaac Yeboah
