Intervene in Scholarship Crisis – Minority Urges Government

By: Isaac Boamah Darko

The Minority Select Committee on Education has expressed grave concern over the financial crisis facing Ghanaian government-sponsored students abroad. The students are facing imminent eviction, deregistration, and possible deportation due to the government’s failure to honor financial commitments through the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat.

Crisis Overview

Over 180 students in Memphis, Tennessee, are on the verge of being ejected from their university housing and deregistered for the Fall 2025 semester. Many have had to start paying their rent in dire circumstances. Similar reports have emerged from students in the UK and Eastern Europe, who are skipping meals and struggling to afford necessities while carrying the psychological burden of academic performance in foreign lands.

Historical Context

The Ghana Scholarships Secretariat was established in 1960 to ensure that financially disadvantaged Ghanaians would not be denied access to tertiary and professional education. In 2017, the government inherited a substantial outstanding debt of approximately $57.5 million and acted decisively to clear these debts, ensuring the continuity of education for Ghanaian students abroad.

Call to Action

The Minority Committee on Education is urging the government to immediately initiate payment plans, restore open communication channels with affected institutions, and release funds to regularize the status of all Ghanaian scholarship beneficiaries abroad. The committee emphasizes that this is not a partisan matter but a national issue that requires urgent attention.

Implications of Inaction

If left unresolved, the crisis risks not only the loss of academic years but also the erosion of global goodwill, the drying up of future bilateral educational support, and a deepening brain drain. The committee calls on the government, the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat, and all relevant stakeholders to act swiftly, humanely, and comprehensively to protect the future of hundreds of Ghanaian students abroad.

Support and Accountability

The committee appeals to the Ghanaian public, civil society organizations, and the media to support this course for swift action and accountability. The government must prioritize the welfare of its students abroad and honor its commitments to avoid jeopardizing Ghana’s international reputation and the future of its youth.