Story By: Dennis Ato Keelson
A group of Ghanaian PhD students in the United Kingdom (UK) has pleaded with British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, to intervene in a worsening situation involving unpaid tuition fees and living allowances owed by the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat.
In a December 3, 2025, letter, representatives of around 110 Ghanaian PhD students outlined severe financial and academic struggles resulting from prolonged payment delays.
Despite the Mahama administration’s sponsorship promises of full tuition coverage and monthly stipends of £1,023-£1,200, many have gone months or years without funds.
The students face hunger, homelessness, and mental distress, with 15 withdrawn from programmes and 30 others unpaid for the 2024/2025 academic year.
Some can’t access university portals, submit theses, or get certificates due to outstanding fees. Although £1.6 million was recently sent to the Ghana High Commission, it’s insufficient to cover arrears. Stipend payments are 5-48 months overdue, leading to evictions and reliance on food banks. Some students have been deported, and others can’t return home due to debts or unaffordable flights.
The group seeks Starmer’s help in urging the Ghanaian government to release funds and has sent copies to UK and Ghanaian officials, expressing readiness to meet with UK officials to provide further details.
(I rewrote it to match the original length)
