Dean of the School of Business at the University of Cape-Coast, Prof. John Gatsi, has rejected criticism over his receipt of scholarship from the Ghjana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) saying those who are lumping him together with privileged politicians who similarly received scholarships are mistaken.
In a write-up on the issue which has become topical after the Auditor General’s report that the scholarships were primarily usurped by politicians and well-to-do people rather than brilliant but needy Ghanaians who cannot afford to pay their fees, Prof. Gatsi wrote that he was brilliant and needy as well when he applied for the scholarship in 2014.
“Between 2008 – 2014, Mr. John Gatsi (now Prof. John Gatsi) enrolled on PhD Finance programme.
“The payment of fees (Euro denominated) was done from personal resources on instalment basis till the stage of PhD Thesis Defence when payment of final cumulative installment became a hurdle.
“In 2014, my application for GetFund support as a member of Faculty only yielded a €4000 (equivalent to about ¢15,000) support at the time to cover only the outstanding fees from the 6-years.
“Given that Appendix 6 of the Auditor General’s Report (2012-2018) on the Administration of Scholarships by GetFund failed to reflect details and facts, I wish to recount the facts for clarity. I remain grateful nonetheless,” he wrote.
Earlier today, in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, Prof. Gatsi had further explained that unlike the others named in the Auditor General’s report as awkward beneficiaries, he was qualified for the scholarship because of his background in academia.
Also, comparatively, he was awarded scholarship to the tune of just a little over 4000 euros, unlike some who received over 50,000 euros in scholarships.
“I had been paying my fees from my own resources but somewhere in 2014, it got to a point that I felt I needed support so I applied to GETFund and they paid the remaining fee of €4,000 for me to complete my program and so that was the support I received from them and I am grateful for that,” he told Umaru Sanda Amadu.
He added, “I am not a minister. I am a university teacher and I know how much I earn… I know how it feels to convert your salary into Euros to pay so I think I needed help and I applied. I am not in the category of people who applied for US$53,000.”
Prof. Gatsi pointed out that it was because his scholarship was appropriate that the Attorney General has no basis to sue him.
“It was appropriate, it was needful, and it was timely… So there was nothing about surcharges. If the Attorney General was minded that I have offended any law, they would have involved me in the process to question me.”
“If the report has come with some recommendation, this is the time for GETFund to improve upon its system, ensure that they follow what they are supposed to do, publish the list of those they are supporting, ensure transparency, and do what is right,” he said.