By Ernest Arhinful President John Dramani
The University of Memphis has issued a stern warning to Ghanaian scholarship students after the Ghanaian Government fell significantly behind on fee payments. Under the Ghana Government Scholarship Scheme, 185 Ghanaian students in the US have received full sponsorship.
However, the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat is reportedly in arrears to the tune of US鈥$3.6鈥痬illion, having paid just $400,000 to date 锟.
Officials at the University are reportedly exerting pressure on the studentship scheme, cautioning that outstanding fees could result in the withdrawal of students鈥 enrolment ahead of the Fall 2025 semester.
Should the outstanding balance remain unsettled, these students may face not only suspension from academic programmes but also the revocation of their student visas, with the attendant risk of deportation.
The plight of the affected students has sparked alarm and dismay. One of them lamented that these Ghanaian students were selected and sponsored by the Government, yet now find themselves 鈥渓eft alone to fight for our future鈥.
Despite sending multiple appeals鈥攖hrough the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat, the Education and Foreign Affairs ministries, the Ghanaian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and even the President鈥檚 Office鈥攏o resolution or payment commitment has emerged 锟.
The students have called for urgent intervention by President John Dramani Mahama, urging the Government to settle the unpaid fees promptly.
They have also appealed to Parliament to investigate and ensure oversight of all Ghanaian scholarship recipients abroad.
The situation not only jeopardises their academic and career prospects but also poses a reputational risk to Ghana鈥檚 global standing and its commitment to nurturing its youth through foreign scholarships