Jelvis Kwame Baidoo has criticised attempts to score political points over scholarship opportunities, urging leaders to stop bragging about facilitating a small number of scholarships for students abroad.
Speaking during a Facebook Live session, Mr. Baidoo addressed claims that the Member of Parliament for the Effia Constituency, Lawyer Isaac Yaw Boamah-Nyarko, had secured scholarships for eight students to study overseas.
According to Baidoo, such achievements should not be presented as personal political accomplishments because the scholarship scheme is available to every Member of Parliament through the national system.
He explained that the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat is a government institution established to support students across the country who demonstrate strong academic performance but lack the financial means to pursue higher education.
Because of this structure, Baidoo argued that Members of Parliament only help facilitate the application process for deserving students rather than personally funding the scholarships.
“Stop bragging that the MP for Effia Constituency has given eight people scholarships to study abroad,” Baidoo said during the live broadcast.
“The Scholarship Secretariat is available for every Member of Parliament to access for his constituents,” he added.
Baidoo emphasised that the main focus should be on helping brilliant students who need financial support rather than using scholarship opportunities as political achievements.
He further stated that some constituencies across Ghana have reportedly supported more than twenty students through the same scholarship system, making it unnecessary to celebrate eight placements as a major political accomplishment.
According to him, what truly matters is identifying talented young people with strong academic records who lack the financial resources to further their education.
Baidoo also encouraged political leaders, community figures and stakeholders to actively guide students through the scholarship application process so that more young people can benefit from available educational opportunities.
His comments have sparked conversation online, with some social media users agreeing that educational assistance should be focused on empowering students rather than becoming a tool for political publicity.
Others, however, argue that Members of Parliament still deserve some recognition for helping their constituents navigate the system and access opportunities that may otherwise be difficult to obtain.
Scholarship programmes administered through the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat are designed to provide financial assistance to qualified students pursuing tertiary education both within Ghana and abroad.
Members of Parliament from various constituencies often recommend applicants who meet the academic requirements and financial need criteria for consideration under the scheme.
Baidoo concluded by urging leaders to prioritise genuine support for education and youth development, stressing that scholarships should remain an avenue to uplift deserving students rather than a platform for political bragging.
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