Assessing the Impact of Scholarships in Providing Access to Quality University Education: A Case Study of the Lebanese Community in Ghana Scholarship

Abstract

With the renewed emphasis on university education as an agent for development and economic growth, the Lebanese Community in Ghana, through the Embassy of Lebanon, has joined other organizations in contributing to the intellectual workforce of Ghana. While the Lebanese Community in Ghana Scholarship has granted scholarships to about a hundred individuals to pursue various undergraduate programs for nearly a decade since 2013, no research has been conducted to assess the impact of the scholarship. The study used a qualitative research method in which in-depth interviews were used to collect and analyze data from respondents. The data was processed using thematic analysis, and major recommendations were made to improve the scholarship program's present strategy. Overall, the findings reveal that the Lebanese Community in Ghana Scholarship has enhanced the quality of life of its recipients greatly. However, there are some challenges which are impeding the success of the scholarship. The constant delays in releasing funds to students at the start of an academic year and the change in ambassadors by the Embassy of Lebanon worried the progressive plan for beneficiaries. The study recommended that a responsive and clear policy is needed as well as a strong alumni network to empower and strengthen the alumni‘s resilience, allowing beneficiaries to continue to lead and change their circumstances on their own terms.