Ghanaian Students in UK Raise Alarm Over Scholarship Funding Crisis

Ghanaian students studying in the United Kingdom under the Government of Ghana scholarship programme have sounded the alarm over what they describe as “perilous” conditions caused by prolonged delays in tuition and stipend payments.

In a statement addressed to Ghana’s newly appointed High Commissioner to the UK, the first woman to hold the post,members of the UK PhD cohort outlined the severe financial and academic hardships now threatening their studies, accommodation, and immigration status.

The group reported that around 110 PhD candidates are currently sponsored by the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (GSS), excluding those on master’s and undergraduate programmes. One recent death within the cohort, following a prolonged illness, has highlighted the extreme pressures many students are under.

Students say payment delays range from four months to more than 48 months, leaving many unable to re-enrol, submit assignments, or graduate. Even those who attended graduation ceremonies have yet to receive certificates due to unsettled fees.

While the GSS and the Ghanaian government have taken steps to address some of the arrears, students describe these measures as “woefully inadequate.” Data from 86 cohort members show roughly 30 students have received no payment at all for their 2024–25 tuition, while partial payments for others have been insufficient to reopen university registration portals.

Looking ahead to the 2025–26 academic year, the students estimate that £400,000 is required to maintain enrolment. Already, about 10 scholars have been withdrawn or suspended due to unpaid fees and are facing possible deportation from the UK Home Office.

Beyond academic disruption, students report severe personal hardships. Some have been evicted from their accommodation, while others face legal action over unpaid rent. Travel to Ghana for research purposes has also been restricted, either due to lack of funds or the risk of being denied re-entry because of outstanding tuition debts.

PhD students note that the nature of their research makes it “practically impossible” to take up paid work to supplement their income. Further complicating matters, scholarship renewal letters and progression reviews from the GSS, required for visa compliance and academic registration, have not been issued for nearly 10 months. Thirty-six students await these documents, while ten others are waiting for Letters of No Objection (LONO) needed for industry experience placements.

Stipends, which range from £1,023 to £1,200 per month, remain unpaid for many students, with some not receiving any support for up to four years.

Despite acknowledging government efforts to reform the scholarship system for greater transparency, the cohort emphasized that the affected students come from diverse backgrounds and are not politically aligned.

The group has called for urgent intervention from both the High Commissioner and President John Dramani Mahama, urging immediate action to resolve the crisis. “We hope and believe that we shall receive positive feedback,” they wrote, noting that the government has already addressed other outstanding liabilities.