Dozens of Ghanaian PhD students studying in the United Kingdom say they face deportation, homelessness, and expulsion from their universities due to the government’s failure to pay tuition fees and stipends on time.
In a petition to Ghana’s High Commissioner in London, Zita Benson, the students — sponsored by the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat (GSS) — revealed that many have gone months or even years without receiving payments. Some say they’ve waited as long as 48 months.
The PhD Students’ Executive in the UK said about 110 Ghanaian students are currently under the scholarship scheme, though one member recently passed away after a long illness. The group said the crisis has left several unable to register for courses, access student portals, or attend graduation.
“Some of our members have completed their courses but cannot graduate. Others attended graduation ceremonies but were denied certificates due to unpaid fees,” the group stated.
Despite some recent disbursements, the students say the payments barely make a dent in their outstanding debts. From data collected from 86 members, at least 30 students have received no funding at all for the 2024/2025 academic year.
They estimate that at least £400,000 is needed to keep their programs running in 2025/2026. Already, about 10 students have been withdrawn from their universities and are awaiting possible deportation notices from the UK Home Office.
Some students have reportedly been evicted or threatened with legal action over unpaid rent. Others are unable to travel to Ghana for research because of financial hardship or visa complications.
“For nearly ten months, we have had neither progression reviews nor renewal letters from the GSS. Thirty-six of our members urgently need these letters to register for the current academic year,” the group said.
They also appealed for the issuance of Letters of No Objection (LONO) — official documents that allow scholars to work in industry for 2 years before returning home. 10 students are currently stranded due to these administrative delays.
While welcoming ongoing reforms within the GSS, the students stressed that bureaucratic failures should not cost them their education or future.
“We believe students should not face the consequences of administrative errors and indiscretions made by public officials,” the statement read.
In a passionate plea, the scholars urged High Commissioner Zita Benson and President John Dramani Mahama to intervene.
“We are appealing to the High Commissioner and the President to assist in securing an immediate resolution and redress to the issue, as has been done with other inherited statutory liabilities,” they said.
