The Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) has given the government a one-week ultimatum to pay them their research support grants.

According to the association, if the government does not release the grants immediately, a protest will be held nationwide.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, on Wednesday, April 10, the President of the University of Ghana Chapter for GRASAG, Claudius Angsongna highlighted the adverse impact of the delay on numerous graduate students’ activities.

“We wish to express our profound dissatisfaction with the persistent delays in the disbursement of research grants by the Scholarship Secretariat. Despite the repeated assurances, the crucial financial assistance required for our research endeavours remains elusive.

“For approximately three years now, GRASAG members have been deprived of any governmental support to conduct research. We implore the director of the Scholarship Secretariat to promptly address the issue to fulfil the obligations of graduate students. Graduate students are neglected, and we’re suffering," he said.

The association’s leadership noted that the grants play a pivotal role in supporting graduate students in their research endeavours, which contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge and overall academic development.

"We call on the government to increase the funding for graduate students and ensure that we’re adequately resourced.

"We demand a response from the government within a week. In the absence of that, we will organize nationwide demonstrations and further press conferences to highlight our grievances."