The Minority Committee on Education in Parliament has raised alarm over the worsening conditions faced by Ghanaian students studying abroad on government scholarships, calling on the government to take immediate steps to address the situation.
According to the committee, over 180 students in Memphis, Tennessee, are currently facing eviction from university housing due to unpaid tuition and accommodation fees. Similar reports have surfaced from Ghanaian students in the United Kingdom and Eastern Europe, many of whom risk academic disruption as the government fails to meet its financial commitments.
Led by Dr Fred Kyei Asamoah, member of Parliament for Offinso North, the Minority Committee issued a statement urging the government to act swiftly to prevent a full-blown crisis.
“Many of these students are stranded, distressed, and unable to register for the upcoming academic year. If this situation persists, it could lead to the loss of academic years, damage Ghana’s international reputation, and accelerate brain drain,” the statement read.
The Committee reminded the public that in 2017, the then-NPP government inherited a scholarship debt of approximately $57.5 million. Despite the challenge, the government at the time made significant efforts to clear the arrears and sustain the education of Ghanaian students abroad.
The current crisis, however, appears more severe. Students in various countries have reported a breakdown in communication with the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat and fear being dropped from their programmes if payments are not made soon.
The Offinso North MP called on the Office of the President, the Ministry of Education, and the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat to:
• Immediately implement payment plans with affected institutions;
• Reopen communication lines with students and host universities;
• Release emergency funds to secure the academic and living conditions of all beneficiaries.
The Committee also made a direct appeal to President John Dramani Mahama, urging him to personally intervene and ensure that the issue is treated with urgency.
They warned that without immediate action, the crisis could result in long-term consequences, including the erosion of global goodwill toward Ghanaian students and a decline in future bilateral educational support from partner countries.
As deadlines for tuition payments, registration, and accommodation draw near in many institutions, the committee emphasised that a quick and humane resolution is critical to safeguarding the future of Ghana’s best and brightest talents studying abroad.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
