A group of Ghanaian students studying abroad under the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (GSS) scheme has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to urgently address financial challenges that are threatening their academic pursuits and well-being.

The petition, signed by students from various universities in the United Kingdom, indicates several pressing concerns, including unpaid stipends, accommodation difficulties, and the cancellation of bilateral agreements between the GSS and universities.

The students emphasise that these issues have resulted in immense stress, financial hardship, and even potential dropout risks.

According to the petitioners, many students have not received their stipends for several months, making it difficult to afford basic necessities such as food, transportation, and rent. Some have reportedly been threatened with eviction due to unpaid accommodation fees.

Additionally, the students claim that delays in tuition payments have led to the cancellation of agreements between the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat and several universities.

This has placed scholars at risk of losing their academic standing, further compounding their financial distress.

The petition also criticises the Scholarship Secretariat for its perceived lack of responsiveness to student concerns. It alleges that reports of financial hardship are often ignored, and those who raise issues face victimization. The students note that these difficulties have taken a severe emotional and psychological toll, with some even resorting to sleeping in university libraries or considering abandoning their studies.

The Petitioners

1. Pius Lord Apprey (University of Kent)
2. Prince Komla Bansah (University of Lincoln)
3. Kwadwo Owusu Afrifa (Brunel, University of London)
4. Frank Ababio (University of Birmingham)
5. Stella Mahama (University of Aberdeen)

Key Requests

In their appeal to President Mahama, the students request immediate intervention to:

• Settle outstanding stipend and tuition fee arrears.
• Review administrative processes to ensure timely disbursement of funds.
• Provide emergency relief for students at risk of eviction and unable to meet their basic needs.
• Renegotiate cancelled agreements with universities to restore lost opportunities for Ghanaian scholars.

The students stress that their academic success is crucial to Ghana’s future development and argue that addressing their concerns would demonstrate the government’s commitment to education and youth empowerment.

While acknowledging that the new administration has just assumed office, the petitioners insist that governance is a continuous process and urge the President to act swiftly.

They express confidence in President Mahama’s leadership and hope that their plea will be met with urgent attention.

The affected students said they remain hopeful that the government will prioritise their plight and ensure that they complete their studies without financial distress.

For now, they await a response from the President’s office, hoping that their concerns will be addressed before the situation worsens further.