Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sabah Zita Benson, has confirmed that the Ghana High Commission will proceed with a planned verification and oath-taking exercise for PhD students in the UK sponsored by the Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA).

The decision comes despite opposition from the leadership of the scholarship beneficiaries, who have described the exercise as discriminatory and unnecessary.

The exercise is aimed at reaffirming the students’ commitment to return to Ghana after completing their studies in the UK.

In a statement issued on Friday, August 7, the students’ leadership raised concerns about the introduction of the oath-taking requirement, arguing that beneficiaries had already signed bonds committing them to return to Ghana upon completion of their studies.

However, in a Facebook post, Madam Zita Benson defended the exercise, citing provisions contained in the scholarship bonds signed by the students.

She said the bond, issued by former GSA Registrar Kingsley Agyemang, required beneficiaries to comply with requirements determined by the Authority, including surveys and evaluations.

She also cited a provision requiring beneficiaries to return to Ghana within two months of completing their studies.

According to the High Commissioner, the bond further states that beneficiaries who fail to fulfil their obligations may be held liable for the scholarship funds they received and required to reimburse the state.

Madam Benson said the students were now seeking to impose conditions on the government, including deadlines for the payment of outstanding tuition fees and stipends, full settlement of those obligations before their return to Ghana, and guaranteed reintegration into Ghana’s job market.

She questioned why those demands were not raised while Mr Agyemang was still in charge of the GSA, noting that the students were reportedly awarded scholarships between 2020 and 2025.

The High Commissioner also rejected claims that the oath-taking requirement was being applied retroactively, insisting that the exercise fell within the GSA’s authority.

“The Ghana High Commission, acting on behalf of the GSA, shall go ahead with the planned verification and oath-taking,” she stated.

Madam Benson further rejected the students’ demand for guaranteed reintegration into the labour market, arguing that no such provision was contained in the bond they signed.

“In the bond they signed, I see no obligation by Government to reintegrate them into society,” she said.

She maintained that the GSA had the authority to undertake measures it considered necessary under the terms of the scholarship agreement.

According to her, the exercise was being conducted in the interest of taxpayers and was intended to ensure that scholarship beneficiaries complied with their contractual obligations.

“We have our reasons for this exercise, and it is in the interest of the taxpayers for us to ensure that we do the right thing even though a huge mess was previously created,” she added.

The High Commissioner also warned that the government would not be pressured into abandoning the exercise, insisting that scholarship beneficiaries could not hold the state to ransom after benefiting from public funds.

She urged the beneficiaries to take note of the government’s position as preparations for the verification and oath-taking exercise continue.