Skip to main content

When Opportunity Discriminates: The Hidden Cost of a Scholarship

By NAP+ Ghana Editorial 

On June 20, 2025, the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat announced a seemingly generous opportunity: scholarships for Ghanaian students to study in Serbia under the “World in Serbia” programme. However, hidden within the eligibility criteria was a clause that has sparked national outrage and dismay among advocates for human rights and equality — a requirement for applicants to present proof of being HIV-negative.

A section of the scholarship notice by Ghana Scholarships Secretariat 


At a glance, this might seem like a minor detail in a long list of requirements. But for those living with HIV in Ghana, it is an alarming reminder that the battle against stigma is far from over. This clause doesn't merely ask for a general medical certificate; it specifically requires evidence that an applicant is HIV negative. Such a requirement is discriminatory, medically unnecessary, and a direct violation of human rights principles.

The Ghana Network of Persons Living with HIV (NAP+ Ghana) has strongly condemned this requirement, calling on the Ghanaian government, Ghana AIDS Commission, UNAIDS, GNP+, and civil society organizations to take immediate action. We cannot celebrate progress in Ghana's HIV response while institutions continue to silently endorse practices that promote stigma and systemic exclusion.

A section of the scholarship notice highlighting, 'Certificate that application is HIV negative'.


Let us be clear: being HIV positive should never disqualify anyone from accessing education or international opportunities. HIV is a health condition, not a moral failing or intellectual limitation. The requirement for HIV-negative status as a scholarship criterion sets a dangerous precedent — one that could spill over into other sectors if left unchallenged.

As a nation committed to equality, inclusion, and democratic values, Ghana must stand firm against all forms of discrimination. Turning down such discriminatory scholarship terms would have sent a stronger message: that Ghana will not participate in systems that marginalize its citizens.


We call on all stakeholders — the President of Ghana, Ministry of Education, Ghana Scholarships Secretariat, and the wider international community — to review this policy and ensure that no Ghanaian is denied opportunity based on their HIV status.

Because in the fight for equity, silence is complicity. And in this case, an opportunity that comes at the cost of dignity and human rights is no opportunity at all.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

“I Found My Voice Online”: Youth Stories and the Call to Bridge the Digital Divide in Ghana’s HIV Response

 By NAP+ Ghana Editorial "When I got diagnosed with HIV, I didn’t know who to talk to. It was on social media that I found someone like me—young, positive, and thriving. That saved my life."  – Ama, 22, Accra Ama’s story is the reality for many young people living with HIV in Ghana—navigating stigma, loneliness, and silence, until they stumble upon a digital lifeline. For Ama, the internet became a window to hope. But for many others, the digital divide remains a wall—blocking access to critical information, peer support, and even life-saving services. On May 29, 2025, the Ghana Network of Persons Living with HIV (NAP+ Ghana) officially launched its Digital Health and Rights Project alongside the research report titled “Paying the Cost of Connection: Human Rights of Young Adults in the Digital Age in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya and Vietnam.” Held in Accra, the event brought together partners, stakeholders, UN bodies, civil society organisations, and youth digital rights advocates,...
1 comment
Read more

Youth Voices at the Digital Crossroads: A Call to Action for Ghana’s Policymakers

 By Doris Odei - Ghana Community Advisory Team As digital transformation accelerates in Ghana, young people like me are asking: Who is being counted, protected, and empowered in this process? I serve on the Ghana Community Advisory Team (G–CAT) for The Digital Health and Rights Project. This global research study was led by the University of Warwick’s Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies and supported by a coalition of partners, including NAP+ Ghana. This experience has allowed me to engage directly with how digital systems are changing rights, privacy, and inclusion for youth in Ghana. The project takes place in Ghana, Kenya, Vietnam, and Colombia. It aims to understand how digital health technologies affect the rights, privacy, and inclusion of young people, especially those from criminalised and marginalised communities. Why This Project Matters for Ghana With the expansion of digital health projects in Ghana, such as the implementation of e-health systems and conversation...
Post a Comment
Read more