Government to support students studying abroad

Mr Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Information and Media Relations, on Thursday, gave the assurance that the government would provide the needed financial support for Ghanaian students studying abroad on government scholarship.

He said the government was concerned about the welfare of students and would through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) settle the debt that students on government scholarships had incurred as a result of delays in payment of the amount.

Mr Ayariga, who gave the assurance at the daily media briefing at the Flagstaff House in Kanda, Accra, was reacting to news that students on government scholarship were being thrown out of their universities due to non-payment of boarding and feeding fees.

The GETFUND, according to Mr Ayariga, was working seriously to transfer money to all beneficiaries on government scholarship.

"Government is making every effort to ensure that students are not left in critical stages in their various educational institutions," he said.

On the transformation of the National and Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Minister said Cabinet would discuss the matter and make recommendations that would re-focus on preventive measures than the provision of relief items to victims of disasters.

He said NADMO would also be empowered to become more responsive to disaster than it is currently performing, in trying to provide adhoc support to disaster victims.

Mr Ayariga mentioned the national seed policy, national fertilizer policy and the amendment of anti-money laundering, as some of the issues that would be considered at Thursday's cabinet meeting.

On the health of former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Mr Ayariga said President Mahama, the Government and the people of Ghana, would all join the people of South Africa in praying for the life of the statesman, who was currently hospitalized.