Thirty-six Ghanaian PhD students in the United Kingdom are trapped in academic limbo, unable to continue their studies due to the government’s failure to issue scholarship renewal letters for nearly ten months.
The situation has left dozens facing withdrawal from their universities and possible deportation as administrative delays paralyse the once-prestigious Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (GSS) sponsorship scheme.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 9, the group representing Ghanaian PhD scholars in the UK painted a grim picture of their reality, describing it as a direct consequence of “administrative errors and indiscretions made by public officials.”
“Currently, 36 of our members are urgently in need of these renewal letters with no solution in sight,” the students said, adding that without the renewal, they cannot re-enrol for the 2025/26 academic year, which is already two months underway.
The affected scholars, most of whom are pursuing advanced research in top UK universities, say the lack of scholarship renewal and non-payment of fees have led to dire consequences.
“About 10 of our members are currently excluded or withdrawn from their studies due to non-payment of tuition fees and are awaiting potential notification from the Home Office for their deportation,” the statement revealed.
According to the group, the financial neglect spans four to 48 months of unpaid stipends and tuition fees, with some students surviving eviction and legal proceedings over rent defaults.
“Several of our colleagues have been evicted from their homes, while some are facing legal proceedings for defaulting on several months of unpaid rent,” they stated.
The students noted that while a few payments have been made for some members, the disbursements are “woefully inadequate.”
From data collected from 86 members, they observed that “an estimated number of 30 students have had absolutely no payment made towards their 2024/25 tuition fees.”
The statement also revealed that “an estimated £400,000 is required to substantially keep our members in their studies” for the 2025/26 academic year.
However, universities continue to block students from re-enrolling or accessing their portals due to arrears, even after partial payments by the GSS.
The scholars highlighted that the crisis extends beyond financial strain.
“Our progression review often follows the renewal of the scholarships, which then enables members to re-enrol. For nearly 10 months, we have had neither the progression review nor the renewal letters from the GSS,” they lamented.
They also drew attention to a separate challenge facing ten of their members who are unable to access the “Letter of No Objection” (LONO), a requirement for gaining two years of practical industry experience in the UK before returning home.
“This visa does not lead to permanent residency in the UK, as claimed in certain media commentaries,” they clarified.
Some members have reportedly been refused re-entry to the UK after returning to Ghana for data collection because of outstanding tuition fees and flagged deportation alerts on their profiles. Others remain stranded and unable to travel due to financial and visa restrictions.
The scholars appealed to Ghana’s newly appointed High Commissioner to the UK and President John Dramani Mahama for urgent intervention.
“We are therefore appealing to the UK High Commissioner and President John Dramani Mahama to, as a matter of urgency and priority, assist in securing an immediate resolution and redress to the issues,” the statement concluded.
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