Petition for urgent intervention to resolve challenges faced by beneficiaries of Ghana Scholarship Secretariat Scheme

Dear Mr. President,
On behalf of the beneficiaries of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat scheme studying abroad, we extend our warmest congratulations to you on your victory in the recent general elections. Your assumption to the highest office in our beloved country is a testament to the trust Ghanaians have in your vision for the nation. We pray for your success in achieving the goals you have set for our country. Your Excellency, we write to you as a group of concerned beneficiaries, facing severe challenges that are impacting our academic pursuits and overall well-being. It is with great humility and a sense of urgency that we bring these issues to your attention, trusting in your capacity as a father to the nation and a champion of education to intervene and alleviate our plight. While we appreciate that your administration has just assumed office, we are also mindful that governance is a continuous process. It is in this spirit that we respectfully seek your urgent assistance to address the financial challenges confronting us, as outlined below.

Challenges Facing Beneficiaries

• Non-payment of Stipends: We are owed several months of stipends. This prolonged delay has left many of us in severe financial hardship. The stipends, which are critical for our survival abroad, have not been forthcoming, and this has created significant barriers to our academic progress and success.

• Accommodation problems: Many of us are struggling to pay our rent, resulting in the threat of eviction from our apartments. This uncertainty regarding housing has caused immense stress and disrupted our focus on academic activities.

• Cancellation of MoUs with several universities: The bilateral agreement between the GSS and several universities especially those in the United Kingdom have been cancelled for various reasons ranging from non-payment of tuition fees to the inability of the GSS to respond to timely communications from the universities on pertinent concerns. We believe such cancellation are very much avoidable.

• Complete disregard for student concerns: Over the period, there has been marked increase in complete disregard for concerns of students made to the GSS. The de-facto approach has been to completely disregard reported concerns or the victimization of students who openly raise concerns. The result has been an environment of general silence among students, further deepening the already troubling challenges.

• Difficulty meeting basic needs: The financial constraints have made it extremely difficult for us to afford food and other necessities. Some of us are unable to cover transportation costs to and from our campuses, further complicating our academic responsibilities.

• Research constraints: Several students who are due data collection for their research cannot proceed due to financial constraints. Some students require travelling to Ghana for data collection while others require access to paid international databases for data. On the other hand, several students are unable to register for or attend international conference which are a crucial of the research process. These challenges have made our compatriots uncompetitive relative to their peers but have also greatly impaired morale among students.

• Emotional and psychological strain: The financial pressures have pushed some students to the brink. A few have resorted to sleeping in university libraries, while others have considered abandoning their programmes altogether. Some of our colleagues have reported diagnoses of long-term diseases attributable directly to the financial difficulties being faced. The mental toll of these challenges cannot be overstated.

Your Excellency, we understand that your government has recently taken over the reins of power and that there are numerous priorities requiring your immediate attention. However, we humbly appeal to you to consider our plight as a matter of urgency. As students, we are the future leaders and professionals of our nation, and our ability to succeed academically will significantly contribute to the development of Ghana. We believe that under your leadership, swift action can be taken to address these challenges. Specifically, we humbly request the following:

• The immediate release of funds to settle the arrears of our stipends.
• A review of the administrative processes at the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat to ensure timely disbursement of stipends and place priority on student concerns.
• The provision of emergency relief to assist those at risk of eviction or unable to meet their basic needs.
• Renegotiation of all cancelled bilateral agreements with universities to provide opportunities for future generations and repair the internation al diplomatic impasse.

Your Excellency, we remain confident in your commitment to the welfare of all Ghanaians, including those of us studying abroad. Your intervention at this critical juncture would reaffirm your dedication to education as a cornerstone of national development. As beneficiaries of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat scheme, we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to pursue higher education abroad. We are fully committed to using the knowledge and skills we acquire to contribute to the progress of our country. All we ask is for the support we need to complete our studies without the additional burden of financial distress. We are hopeful that this petition will receive your kind and urgent attention. Your leadership in resolving these challenges will be a testament to your commitment to the values of equity, fairness, and the prioritization of education. Once again, we congratulate you on your assumption of office and wish you every success in your endeavors to lead our country to greater heights.

Petitioners

1. Pius Lord Apprey (University of Kent)
2. Prince Komla Bansah (University of Lincoln)
3. Kwadwo Owusu Afrifa (University of Brunnel)
4. Frank Ababio (University of Birmingham)
5. Stella Mahama (University of Aberdeen)