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The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has called for the urgent amendment of the Scholarship Authority Act to explicitly provide for student representation on the governing board of the Scholarship Authority.
In a press statement dated January 9, 2026, NUGS said it had taken note of the Ministry of Education’s response to concerns surrounding the composition and inauguration of the Authority’s governing board but found the explanation unsatisfactory.
According to NUGS, Ghana’s education governance framework has already established a clear precedent for student representation, citing the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Act, which expressly provides for a student representative nominated by NUGS to serve on its governing body. The union argued that any departure from this standard undermines student participation in education governance.
NUGS further rejected claims that it is represented under a civil society organisation (CSO) “umbrella,” stressing that it is not, and has never been, a CSO. The union described itself as a government-sanctioned, membership-based student body with a unique mandate to represent the collective interests of Ghanaian students at all levels.
The statement emphasized that student representation on bodies such as the Scholarship Authority must be explicit and guaranteed by law, rather than implied through undefined structures. NUGS warned that ambiguity in representation risks diluting student voices in decisions that directly affect their welfare.
The union therefore called on Parliament to amend the Scholarship Authority Act under a certificate of urgency to clearly provide for student representation through NUGS. It said such an amendment would restore stakeholder confidence and align the Authority’s governance with established best practices in the education sector.
NUGS reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement with the Ministry of Education, Parliament, and other stakeholders, stating that its position is principled and rooted in law, precedent, and the collective interest of Ghanaian students.
