Scholarship secretariat secures GH¢50m funding for stranded students
Accra, Ghana - In a welcome relief for Ghanaian students studying abroad, the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat has announced the anticipated release of GH¢50 million to address unpaid stipends and tuition fees.
This comes after reports of hardships faced by students due to delayed payments.
According to Richard Gyamfi, Head of International Relations and Partnerships, the Ministry has indicated the release of funds, although the amount falls short of the total needed.
“The good news is that we got hinted by the Ministry [of Finance] that some funds, although not what we are expecting, have been released,” Gyamfi stated.
The Secretariat has completed necessary paperwork to facilitate the transfer of funds to the Ghana International Bank, which will then channel payments through the Ghanaian Embassy.
Gyamfi emphasized the Secretariat's proactive efforts in addressing the issue, including numerous meetings with international partners and unconventional steps to secure funds.
“We have actually had to go a non-conventional route by giving them letters that the registrar has written to high authorities pleading with the Ministry of Finance to release funds so that we can pay,” he explained.
While the GH¢50 million is insufficient to cover all outstanding payments, the Secretariat will prioritize tuition payments to prevent students' expulsion from their programs.