The Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA) has defended its ongoing Oath of Affirmation and Scholarship Validation Exercise for Ghanaian PhD scholarship beneficiaries in the United Kingdom, insisting that the exercise is lawful and does not impose any new obligations on students.
The Authority said the exercise follows concerns raised by executives of the UK PhD Cohort and is being conducted under the Ghana Scholarships Authority Act, 2025 (Act 1149), and the Oaths Act, 1972 (NRCD 6). It is being organised in collaboration with the Ghana High Commission in the UK.
According to the GSA, the exercise is intended to verify scholarship awards, update beneficiary records and reaffirm commitments already attached to government-sponsored scholarships.
The Authority stressed that the oath does not introduce any new condition for beneficiaries.
It explained that every beneficiary accepted a scholarship subject to a bond requiring them to return to Ghana within two months of completing their approved programme of study.
“The Oath of Affirmation does not introduce any additional obligation,” the GSA said, describing the exercise as a formal reaffirmation of commitments beneficiaries had already made under their scholarship bonds.
The Authority also rejected concerns that it was applying new rules retrospectively.
It said the terms of existing scholarship bonds had not been altered or varied and that the current exercise was simply meant to confirm those obligations and ensure that beneficiary records remained accurate and up to date.
The GSA further clarified the status of “No Objection” letters issued to some beneficiaries who wanted to take advantage of the UK Graduate Route.
According to the Authority, the letters were issued at the request of individual beneficiaries seeking post-study professional experience under the applicable two-year Graduate Route visa arrangement.
It stressed that the letters did not cancel, waive, or change the scholarship bond.
The Authority said the Graduate Route could allow beneficiaries to gain additional professional skills and experience that could ultimately contribute to Ghana’s human capital development. However, the obligation to return to Ghana remains in force unless it is lawfully varied or set aside by the competent authority.
The GSA also acknowledged concerns raised by beneficiaries over delays in the payment of tuition fees and stipends.
It said it was engaging the Ministry of Finance and other relevant institutions to facilitate the settlement of outstanding payments.
However, the Authority stressed that payment delays were separate from the validation exercise and did not suspend the obligations contained in the scholarship bonds.
It also assured beneficiaries that participating in the validation exercise would not cause them to lose any legitimate entitlement.
The GSA said it does not view the exercise as adversarial and encouraged beneficiaries to approach it in the same spirit.
It explained that government scholarships represent a significant investment in Ghana’s human capital and come with responsibilities for both the state and beneficiaries.
While the government is expected to honour its commitments to scholarship recipients, beneficiaries are also expected to fulfil the obligations they accepted when they received the sponsorship.
The Authority said the validation exercise is therefore intended to strengthen accountability, protect the integrity of the scholarship programme, maintain accurate records and promote fairness and transparency.
The GSA has urged all affected beneficiaries to honour the invitation and participate in the Oath of Affirmation and Scholarship Validation Exercise without delay.
It also pledged to continue engaging the beneficiaries respectfully and transparently while ensuring that the government’s scholarship programme is administered with accountability and integrity.
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