Ghana’s High Commission in UK Announces Re-Registration of Ghanaian Students in UK. amid Scholarship Debt Cris
The Ghana High Commission in UK has announced a re-registration process for Ghanaian students in the UK as part of an audit and verification effort to settle scholarship debts.
This follows a meeting between the National Union of Ghanaian Students in the United Kingdom (NUGS-UK) and Ghana’s High Commissioner, H.E. Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson where it was revealed that the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat owes more than £32 million in unpaid fees and stipends to Ghanaian students studying in the United Kingdom.
In a press release issued by the Executive Committee of NUGS- UK, it stated that the upcoming re-registration exercise is for all past and present beneficiaries.
The statement read, “The High Commission announced that a re-registration exercise will soon commence for all Ghanaian students, past and present, who have benefited from the Scholarship Secretariat, whether they are owed or have already received payments.”
A NUGS UK Executive in a pose with Ghana’s High Commissioner to The United Kingdom
The statement also revealed that in the past 10 months, the Ghanaian government has paid £3 million toward the arrears, focusing on tuition and stipends for students in medical programs and those in special circumstances, according to the High Commission.
Due to the scholarship debt, no new students have been sponsored by the Scholarship Secretariat for the current academic year.
NUGS-UK and the High Commission acknowledged the hardships faced by both scholarship recipients and self-funded students and advised students to avoid the use of “social media, NGOs, or media outlets to express grievances. Instead, students are encouraged to reach out directly to the NUGS-UK Executive Body or the Education Section of the Ghana High Commission for appropriate support and guidance.”
In addition, the statement debunked rumors about payments for fees and accommodation at some universities, stating,“NUGS-UK wishes to clarify that the rumors circulating regarding the payment of fees and accommodation for students at Robert Gordon University and the University of Aberdeen are false. Students are therefore advised to rely solely on verified information from official sources”.
NUGS-UK reiterated its commitment to advocating for Ghanaian students’ welfare and called on the government to prioritize policies supporting their education and well-being adding that they will “continue to work closely with the Ghana High Commission and relevant stakeholders to ensure that outstanding debts are addressed and lasting solutions achieved.”
