A hybrid model combining meritocracy, transparency and social equity is needed.
The National Scholarship Authority must play a regulatory role only: Developing transparent criteria (merit-based, need-based, regional balance, gender equity); publishing annual reports for accountability.
Decentralised allocation: a. Sixty per cent of scholarships handled by tertiary institutions through independent scholarship committees (including faculty, student reps and external observers).
b.Forty per cent reserved for special government programmes (e.g., international scholarships), but decisions must be made by a multi-sectoral board (including civil society reps, academics, student unions).
Digital Transparency Portal: All scholarship opportunities, criteria, applicants and awardees published online to ensure full transparency.
There must be an appeal system so that students can appeal decisions through an independent appeals board.
Peter Anti Partey, PhD,
IFEST, Ghana.
