Six Ghanaian master’s students studying at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom have appealed to the Government of Ghana to urgently settle outstanding tuition fees and stipend arrears owed to them under a government-sponsored scholarship scheme.
In a statement dated June 15, 2026, the students said the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat, now the Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA), has failed to pay their tuition fees and monthly stipends since they commenced their studies in September 2024, despite repeated assurances from government officials.
The affected students, Noah Krah, Emmanuel Boakye, George Osei Buabeng, Abena Fosuaa Gyasi, Irene Pomaa Kumi and Dwomoh Evelyn, were awarded government scholarships to pursue master’s degree programmes at Loughborough University for the 2024/2025 academic year.
According to them, the government owes an estimated £238,852, comprising £154,000 in tuition fees and £84,852 in stipend arrears. At an exchange rate of GH¢14.32 to the pound, the amount translates to more than GH¢3.4 million.
The students explained that although the unpaid tuition fees currently appear on their university accounts, the responsibility for settling the debt remains with the Government of Ghana under the terms of their scholarship agreements.
They further alleged that they were compelled to forfeit 12 months of unpaid stipends in exchange for a “Letter of No Objection” required to apply for the UK’s Graduate Visa. According to them, the condition was not part of the original scholarship agreement and was imposed at a time when they were already facing severe financial hardship.
The students said they had spent the past eight months pursuing various channels to resolve the matter, including meetings with officials of the Ghana High Commission in London, petitions to the Ghanaian High Commissioner, the UK Prime Minister’s Office and intervention from Dr. Jeevun Sandher, Member of Parliament for Loughborough.
They noted that despite several assurances, including a promise to settle the debt within the first quarter of 2026, no payments have been made.
The statement also referenced a communiqué issued by the Director of the Ghana Scholarships Authority on April 16, 2026, indicating that funds had been released by the Government of Ghana to settle scholarship-related debts in the UK. However, the students claim neither they nor the university have received any payment.
The prolonged delay, they said, has plunged them into serious financial and emotional distress. Some students reportedly relied on food banks, skipped meals and depended on support from friends and church members to cover basic living expenses and avoid homelessness.
Academically, the students say they have completed all coursework, examinations and dissertations but have been unable to graduate because Loughborough University continues to withhold their certificates and academic transcripts due to the unpaid tuition fees.
The situation has also created immigration challenges. According to the students, unresolved visa applications have left some of them unable to seek employment or earn income while awaiting a resolution.
The students are now calling on the Government of Ghana to provide a definite payment date and immediately settle all outstanding tuition fees and stipend arrears to enable them to participate in their graduation ceremony scheduled for July 7, 2026.
They warned that further delays could prevent them from formally completing their academic journey and obtaining the qualifications they worked to achieve.
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