A group of Ghanaian students studying in the United Kingdom under government-sponsored scholarship programmes has called for the immediate payment of outstanding scholarship arrears, warning that continued delays are causing severe financial hardship and threatening their academic pursuits.
The students, many of whom are pursuing postgraduate studies in various universities across the UK, say months of unpaid stipends and tuition-related obligations have left them struggling to meet basic living expenses, including accommodation, transportation and other essential costs.
According to the students, repeated appeals to the relevant authorities have yielded little progress, forcing some beneficiaries to rely on loans, support from friends and family, or part-time work to survive.
They argue that the delays are undermining the purpose of the scholarship programme, which is intended to support academic excellence and professional development.
In a petition and public appeal, the affected students urged the government and scholarship administrators to urgently release the funds owed to them, stressing that many are facing mounting debts and the risk of sanctions from their host institutions.
Some students claim that landlords have threatened eviction due to rent arrears, while others have reportedly received reminders from universities regarding outstanding fees and financial obligations.
They say the uncertainty surrounding the payment schedule has created significant emotional and psychological stress.
The students also expressed concern that the situation could damage Ghana’s reputation among international academic institutions if scholarship beneficiaries continue to face difficulties in meeting financial commitments.
They are therefore calling on the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat and other relevant agencies to provide a clear timeline for the settlement of all outstanding arrears and to establish measures that will prevent future delays.
They maintain that their demand is not only about financial support but also about safeguarding the educational opportunities and future contributions of Ghanaian scholars pursuing studies abroad.
