Probe Scholarships Secretariat Registrar – NDC Deputy Youth Organiser

The Deputy National Youth Organiser of the NDC, Osman Ayariga, has urged the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to investigate the Registrar of the Scholarships Secretariat, Kingsley Agyemang, owing to the alleged corruption scandal of the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat reported by the Fourth Estate.

In a letter dated April 9, 2024, the Honourable Osman Ayariga stated that it is important for the OSP to investigate the activities of the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat due to the revelations of abuse the leadership has portrayed.

“Damning instances where staff at the secretariat demand prior payments of commission from students seeking scholarships before such approvals are given. Some beneficiaries who spoke out publicly indicated they were made to undertake a transfer of a percentage of the approved scholarship amount to compensate for securing the scholarships.”

“The investigation discovered instances where people received double sponsorship for the same course of study from the secretariat and other institutions. One such person is Dr. Dennis Addo, who received a total of USD 50,031 for postgraduate studies from the secretariat and an undisclosed amount from the institution of study. Further details can be found in the investigative report of the Fourth Estate.”

“There are instances where those who secured scholarships never took the courses but failed to refund the disbursed amount to the secretariat. A notable example is in the person of Fawzy Ramadan, a relative and special assistant of the Second Lady of Ghana, Mrs. Samira Bawumia,” the letter read.

He further admonished the OSP to investigate the matter with urgency and let the registrar step aside while subjecting him to investigations.

In response, the OSP acknowledged the letter from the Deputy Youth Minister and disclosed in a letter dated April 10, 2024, that the Ghana School Secretariat has been under investigation since July 2023.

“The Office of the Special Prosecutor commenced an investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences at the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat in July 2023. The investigation is active and ongoing.”

“You may be contacted for assistance should the need arise,” the letter added.