Scholarship Secretariat’s $3.2M Debt Threatens 185 Students
The University of Memphis warned that 185 Ghanaian students face dismissal due to the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat’s failure to pay $3.2 million of a $3.6 million scholarship debt, with only $400,000 paid, as reported by GhanaWeb on July 5, 2025. The 2023 Memorandum of Understanding with Ghana was meant to cover tuition, housing, and fees for these students, who hold a 3.75 average GPA.
A June 2 university notice stated that unpaid Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and summer housing fees could lead to course cancellations by July 11, 2025, risking students’ F-1 visa status and potential deportation. Students appealed to the Ghana Embassy, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and President John Mahama, but no resolution has been confirmed. A student leader, Carl Engmann, urged urgent government intervention.
The crisis mirrors issues in the UK, where Ghanaian students face unpaid stipends and tuition debts exceeding £39 million, threatening evictions and academic exclusion. The Secretariat’s website, offline for maintenance as of July 7, 2025, promoted the program as fully funded. Students fear losing jobs, housing, and academic progress due to Ghana’s financial shortfall.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson pledged action, but no payment timeline was set. The university is exploring options to support students, but without funds, dismissal looms. The situation has sparked calls for Parliament to investigate Ghana’s scholarship management, amid concerns over the nation’s global reputation.
As the July 11 deadline passes, students face uncertainty, with their education and visa status at risk. The government’s delay in addressing the debt threatens not only their futures but also Ghana’s commitment to youth empowerment through international education.