Ghanaian PhD students studying in the United Kingdom have raised alarm over prolonged delays in the payment of their tuition fees and stipends, warning that their planned protest could cause “a huge embarrassment” to Ghana if the issue is not urgently addressed.
The students are preparing a two-day demonstration to highlight what they describe as persistent neglect of their welfare, despite repeated complaints to relevant authorities. They said the government’s silence has led to an increase in withdrawals from academic programmes.
Although the students are sponsored by the Government of Ghana, with assurances of full tuition coverage and monthly stipends ranging from £1,023 to £1,200, many have gone months—or even years—without receiving the funds. The delays have left some students facing hunger, homelessness, mental distress, and in some cases, forced withdrawal after universities classified them as inactive.
Prince Komla Bansah, President of the Ghanaian PhD Cohort–UK, told Channel One Newsroom on Saturday, January 17, 2026, that all diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter have failed.
“We have exhausted all the diplomatic procedures. There was overwhelming support for the demonstration. It’s a very serious situation. The demonstration could be a huge embarrassment to the state, and we hope action is taken before that happens,” he said.
Mr Bansah revealed that some students plan to pitch tents outside the British Parliament to highlight their lack of accommodation. “You can imagine students mounting tents and sleeping at the British Parliament because there is no place to sleep. How is that going to sound? Nobody is making any efforts to address the issue,” he said.
He warned that the situation could seriously damage Ghana’s image abroad if immediate steps are not taken. He added that some students have yet to receive renewal letters despite the academic year starting in 2025, and practical measures promised by authorities have not materialised.
“There are so many students who are no longer considered active by their universities. It’s been a year, and we haven’t seen practical steps towards resolving the situation. That is why we have planned to protest,” Mr Bansah said.
He also cautioned that some students risk deportation if payments are not released, explaining that several have received withdrawal notices and are awaiting correspondence from the UK Home Office. “If the government does not make the payments, these students could be deported,” he said.
