Saddick Adams Criticizes Alleged Misuse of State Scholarships in Ghana
Renowned sports journalist Saddick Adams, popularly known as Sports Obama, has expressed strong concerns over the alleged diversion of state scholarships meant for brilliant but needy students. According to him, these scholarships, which were originally established to support underprivileged yet academically gifted students and those pursuing specialized courses, are now being awarded to affluent individuals and politicians.
Saddick Adams made these remarks in reaction to a social media post seeking financial assistance for Elvis Marfo, a bright student from Adisadel College, who was struggling to fund his education. He was particularly disturbed that while students like Marfo are left to rely on the goodwill of philanthropists, prominent politicians benefit from government-funded scholarships.
Allegations Against Former MP Ignatius Baffour-Awuah
In his outburst, Saddick Adams cited an example involving Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, the former Member of Parliament for Sunyani West and ex-Minister of Employment and Labour Relations. He claimed that despite serving in Parliament for 16 years, Baffour-Awuah was awarded a government scholarship to further his education.
“My MP in Sunyani had been in power for four terms. That’s 16 years. He was awarded a scholarship. He was an MP for 16 years but had a scholarship,” Saddick Adams lamented.
“For what reason? What was he going to learn that he needed a scholarship? Why would we do that and then beg for money for the brilliant but needy?”
His comments have reignited public debate over the fairness and transparency of Ghana’s scholarship distribution system, with many questioning whether scholarships are truly benefiting the underprivileged or being used to serve the interests of the elite.
Ignatius Baffour-Awuah Under Investigation
Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, who lost his parliamentary seat in the 2024 general elections, is currently under investigation in connection with the tragic death of a Kotoko fan, Francis Yaw Frimpong, also known as Pooley. Pooley was reportedly stabbed during a heated football match between Nsoatreman FC, a club owned by Baffour-Awuah, and Asante Kotoko. The case is still under police investigation.
Amidst the controversy, there has been a positive development for Elvis Marfo, the Adisadel College student whose story went viral. Thanks to the publicity surrounding his plight, an unidentified philanthropist and alumni of Adisadel College have stepped in to offer him a fully funded scholarship. This means Elvis Marfo can now continue his education without financial worries.
The revelations made by Saddick Adams have intensified calls for a review of Ghana’s scholarship system to ensure that it serves its intended purpose. Many Ghanaians believe there should be stricter guidelines and transparency in awarding government scholarships to prevent misuse.
As the public continues to demand accountability, it remains to be seen whether authorities will take action to address these concerns and ensure that state scholarships are given to those who truly deserve them.
Saddick Adams’ expose has once again highlighted the disparities in Ghana’s scholarship system, raising serious ethical and governance questions. While students like Elvis Marfo struggle to get funding for their education, some politicians allegedly receive scholarships despite their financial stability. This situation underscores the need for urgent reforms to make educational opportunities fair, transparent, and accessible to the truly needy.
