The Executive Committee of the PhD cohort under the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (GSS) has suspended a planned demonstration over the non-payment of tuition fees, stipends, and delays in the issuance of renewal letters.

The protest, which was scheduled for January 28 and 29, at the Ghana High Commission in London and the Parliament of the United Kingdom, was intended to draw attention to what the students describe as prolonged administrative delays and the government’s failure to release funds to support beneficiaries.

In a statement signed by the executives of the PhD cohort (UK) and copied to media houses dated 25th February, 2026, the students said several beneficiaries have been withdrawn from their programmes due to unpaid tuition fees, while others have reportedly been referred to the UK Home Office for visa revocation.

They described the situation as dire, indicating that some students are facing deportation, while others have had to rely on food banks and support from friends and family to survive. According to the executives, some members have not received stipends for close to 40 months.

They also raised concerns about the failure of the Secretariat to issue renewal letters for the 2025/2026 academic year, a requirement for re-enrollment in many universities. As a result, some students have been blocked from continuing their studies, while others have been asked to defer their programmes.

The cohort referenced a similar situation in 2024 when former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia intervened following a petition presented through lawyer Samson Lardi Anyenini of Joy FM to avert possible deportations.

Meeting with High Commissioner

Following the announcement of the planned protest, the Ghana High Commissioner to the UK, Zita Benson, through her Head of Chancery, Mawutor Alifo, invited the executives for a meeting on January 21.

The meeting, held at the High Commission in London and attended by senior officials, including the Deputy High Commissioner, sought to address the concerns raised by the students.
According to the statement, the executives presented three urgent demands:
1. Payment of outstanding tuition fees
2. Payment of stipends in arrears
3. Immediate issuance of renewal letters

They submitted a structured breakdown of the arrears and estimated that about GH¢55 million would be required to clear outstanding tuition and stipend payments for the PhD cohort.

The High Commissioner reportedly acknowledged the issues, indicated she had engaged some universities on the matter, and assured the students she was working to secure a resolution from Accra.

She is said to have given a tentative timeline of mid-February to provide updates. On the strength of that assurance and as a sign of good faith, the students called off the planned demonstration.

Fresh protest possible

However, with February nearly ending and no resolution in sight, the executives say frustration among members has reached a tipping point.

They are therefore calling on President John Dramani Mahama and the Finance Minister to urgently release funds to address the outstanding obligations.

While reaffirming their commitment to protecting Ghana’s image abroad, the students warned that there is overwhelming support among colleagues for a renewed demonstration in the coming weeks should the situation remain unresolved.

They expressed hope that the government will treat the matter with urgency to prevent what they describe as a potential diplomatic embarrassment.