Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, Member of Parliament for Builsa South and Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, has called on the government to urgently address the struggles faced by Ghanaian students studying abroad under government scholarships.
In a strongly worded statement, Dr. Apaak criticized the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration for failing to meet its obligations to these students, leading to severe hardships that tarnish Ghana’s international reputation.
He highlighted the “disturbing and heart-wrenching plight” of these students, many of whom are enrolled in prestigious institutions abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom. Instead of focusing on academic success, many are now battling expulsion, facing deportation, and enduring humiliating circumstances due to the government’s inability to pay tuition fees and stipends on time.
“The failure of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led NPP government to honor its basic obligations to our students has not only jeopardized their future but has also cast our dear nation in a negative light,” Dr. Apaak stated.
According to him, 927 postgraduate students—785 pursuing master’s degrees and 142 PhD candidates—are currently facing financial neglect, with outstanding tuition fees totaling £17,613,000. The situation is further exacerbated by a 27-month delay in stipend payments for many PhD students who enrolled in 2020 and 2021.
Dr. Apaak revealed that the desperation of students has led to appalling situations where some male students have resorted to selling sperm to survive, while some female students have entered exploitative relationships for shelter and necessities.
“No Ghanaian student should ever be subjected to such indignities,” he stated, emphasizing the urgent need for government intervention.
The government’s failure to meet its financial obligations has also resulted in the cancellation of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between foreign universities and the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, further complicating the situation for future scholarship students.
Dr. Apaak issued two immediate demands: the government must urgently pay all outstanding tuition fees and stipends, and renegotiate the canceled MOUs to restore support for Ghanaian students.
He also pledged that the next NDC government, led by John Dramani Mahama, would introduce a transparent scholarship regime to prevent future mismanagement.
“The future of Ghana itself is at stake,” he concluded, calling on all Ghanaians to demand accountability from the government.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
