A deepening financial crisis affecting Ghanaian students on government scholarships abroad has reached a critical juncture, prompting the Minority in Parliament to issue an urgent plea for immediate government intervention.
The crisis has been a recurring issue for Ghanaian scholarship beneficiaries over the past few years, but recent deadlines have pushed many to the brink.
Most notably, a cohort of 181 Ghanaian students at the University of Memphis in the United States are currently facing academic dismissal and potential visa revocation because the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat (GSS) reportedly owes the university a staggering $3.6 million in unpaid tuition and housing fees.
According to internal student sources, only a mere $400,000 – representing just one-ninth of the total debt – had been paid by early July, with a critical deadline of July 11 looming for Fall 2025 registrations.
Addressing the media in Accra, Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, the Member of Parliament for Offinso North and a member of Parliament’s Education Committee, conveyed the Minority’s concern.
“Many have had to begin paying their rent in the dire circumstances. Equally worrying are parallel reports emerging from students in the UK and Eastern Europe facing similar threats. Some are already skipping meals,” he stated, painting a grim picture of the students’ plight.
The consequences of this financial neglect extend beyond immediate hardship.
Should institutions proceed with de-registration, students risk losing entire academic years, potentially wasting years of effort and investment.
Furthermore, a revocation of student visas due to non-payment of fees could lead to involuntary deportation, severely impacting the academic and career prospects of Ghana’s promising young scholars.
Such incidents also carry a significant reputational risk for Ghana on the global stage, potentially jeopardizing future bilateral educational support and goodwill from partner countries and institutions.
Dr. Asamoah appealed directly to the highest offices of government for swift action.
“We urge the government of Ghana through the Office of the President, the Scholarship Secretariat and the Minister for Education to immediately initiate payment plans, restore open communication with institutions and release funds to regularise the status of Ghanaian Scholarship Secretariat abroad,” he emphasized, highlighting the need for a coordinated and urgent response.
This parliamentary call for action comes amidst growing public pressure and increased media coverage of the students’ predicament.
In early June 2025, the Coalition of Ghana Scholars Abroad had to suspend a planned demonstration over unpaid stipends and book allowances, citing “pressures and undue influence” from diplomatic missions.
Reports from students in Hungary and Morocco had, for instance, indicated delays of up to 11 months in receiving their allowances.
The Ghana Scholarships Secretariat, established to manage government scholarships, has faced scrutiny over its operational efficiency and funding allocations in recent years.
While the exact total number of Ghanaian students on government scholarships abroad is not publicly released annually, data from host countries indicate a significant presence.
For instance, in 2024, there were over 13,000 Ghanaian students in Canadian institutions, and nearly 15,000 in the US, with thousands more across the UK, Germany, and Eastern Europe.
While not all are government-sponsored, a substantial portion relies on the Secretariat’s funding.
The Minority’s stern warning resonates with past instances where Ghanaian students abroad faced similar predicaments due to delayed disbursements. In 2017, the then-NPP government reportedly inherited a scholarship debt of approximately $57.5 million, highlighting the persistent nature of this challenge across administrations.
Addressing these arrears effectively is crucial to upholding Ghana’s commitment to nurturing its human capital and safeguarding the academic future of its brightest minds.
The ball is now firmly in the government’s court to avert a full-blown international academic and diplomatic crisis.
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