GETFund clarifies scholarship beneficiaries: The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has issued a statement to clarify that a list of individuals circulating on social media, believed to be recent scholarship beneficiaries, is actually an old list.
According to information provided on the GETFund website, this list was part of the 2019 Audit Report and was the result of an exercise aimed at understanding scholarship trends from 2012 to 2018, with the goal of enhancing efficiency and transparency in scholarship administration.
The Fund expressed surprise that these previously listed scholars, as captured in the Audit Report, have resurfaced on social media, creating the impression of a new and urgent matter. The Fund indicated that the 2018 Forensic Audit Report, which focused on scholarship awards by the Ghana Education Trust Fund, was initiated and funded by the Fund itself and conducted by the Auditor-General’s Department.
When this Audit Report became public in August 2019, the Administrator of the Fund, Dr. Richard Ampofo Boadu, engaged with the media to provide insights into the origin and purpose of the Special Audit. During this interaction, it was mentioned that the GETFund Board, through management, had also implemented the recommendations outlined in the audit report.
One of the key reforms implemented was the establishment of an end-to-end online process for scholarship awards and management. This digitization initiative aimed to enhance transparency, efficiency, and the overall effectiveness of scholarship administration.
The GETFund also announced a policy to deepen stakeholder engagement by holding an open forum in November each year. This forum serves as an opportunity for the public to ask questions and for management to explain the procedures and systems put in place to ensure the responsible use of taxpayers’ funds.
In summary, the GETFund has clarified that the list of scholarship beneficiaries circulating on social media is not a recent development but rather part of an earlier audit report. They have taken steps to enhance transparency and efficiency in scholarship administration and are committed to engaging with stakeholders to ensure the prudent use of public funds.