36 Ghanaian PhD students in the United Kingdom who say they face withdrawal and possible deportation following months of inaction by the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (GSS).
In a statement shared, the scholars said they have been unable to renew their scholarships for almost ten months due to what they described as “administrative errors and indiscretions made by public officials.” With the academic year already two months underway, they warned that their future in the UK is now at risk.
“Currently, 36 of our members are urgently in need of these renewal letters with no solution in sight,” the group said.
They explained that unpaid stipends and tuition fees—some outstanding for up to four years—have left several students in dire circumstances.
“About 10 of our members are currently excluded or withdrawn from their studies due to non-payment of tuition fees and are awaiting potential notification from the Home Office for their deportation,” the statement added.
The students further revealed that others have been evicted, sued over rent arrears, or locked out of university portals despite some partial payments. Data from 86 affected members indicates that 30 have received no payment toward their 2024/25 tuition fees, while an estimated £400,000 is required to keep them enrolled for the 2025/26 academic year.
Beyond financial setbacks, academic progression reviews have been halted as scholarship renewals remain pending. A separate group of ten students is unable to secure the mandatory “Letter of No Objection” needed to gain post-study work experience in the UK before returning home.
Some students who travelled to Ghana for research have also been denied re-entry due to outstanding tuition and flagged immigration records, leaving them stranded.
The group has appealed to Ghana’s new High Commissioner to the UK and President John Dramani Mahama for urgent intervention. “We are therefore appealing… to assist in securing an immediate resolution and redress to the issues,” they stated.
