Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sabah Zita Benson, has disclosed that the government owes approximately £5 million in unpaid stipends and tuition to Ghanaian PhD students in the UK.
Speaking in an interview, she explained that the debt largely involves students who have already completed their programmes but continue to demand payments based on the terms outlined in their scholarship award letters. According to her, many of the affected individuals finished their studies as far back as 2023 but remain in the UK pursuing the outstanding funds.
She noted that the issue is particularly significant among PhD candidates, whose claims collectively amount to millions. Some of the students, she revealed, have already transitioned into professional roles, including teaching at universities, while still seeking payment of their stipends.
The High Commissioner also highlighted rising tensions over the matter, including threats of protest by student leaders earlier in April. She argued that the situation underscores the need for stricter enforcement of scholarship policies, especially for beneficiaries who remain abroad after completing their studies.
Citing provisions in the proposed scholarships framework, she suggested that individuals who choose to stay and work abroad after their studies may be required to refund government support, in a bid to ensure accountability in the system.