Ghanaian PhD students in UK face deportation over unpaid fees, stipends - Report

Ghanaian government-sponsored PhD students in the United Kingdom are facing possible deportation and academic withdrawal due to unpaid tuition fees and stipends that have been outstanding for as long as four years.

According to a report by myjoyonline.com, this was revealed in a statement issued by the students on Thursday, November 9, 2025.

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The leadership of the Ghanaian PhD students’ cohort in the UK disclosed that the situation has reached a critical stage, with at least ten students already withdrawn or excluded from their universities.

“About 10 of our members are currently excluded or withdrawn from their studies due to non-payment of tuition fees and are awaiting potential notification from the Home Office for deportation,” the report noted.

The students lamented that the prolonged non-payment has left many struggling to survive in the UK.

“Several of our colleagues have been evicted from their homes, while some are facing legal action for defaulting on rent,” the statement added.

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The group said the stipend arrears, which range between £1,023 and £1,200 monthly, have accumulated to as much as 48 months for some scholars.

“This means some of us have not received any payment from the Ghanaian government since the start of our PhD programmes,” the report noted.

Currently, about 110 students sponsored by the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat (GSS) are pursuing PhD studies across various universities in the UK. However, the students said the problem goes beyond tuition delays.

“Thirty-six of our members urgently need renewal letters with no solution in sight,” they said, noting that without these letters, they are unable to re-enrol or continue their research.

They explained that unpaid tuition has caused severe academic and immigration setbacks.

“Some have completed their programs but cannot graduate, while others who attended their graduation ceremonies were denied certificates due to outstanding fees,” the statement said.

The group also reported that some students who travelled to Ghana for data collection were denied re-entry to the UK because of unpaid fees and Home Office deportation notices.

Although the GSS has recently made some payments to a few affected students, the cohort described the effort as woefully inadequate.

Their records show that at least 30 students have received no payments toward their 2024/2025 tuition, leaving them unable to access their university portals or re-enrol. They estimate that a minimum of £400,000 will be required to sustain their studies for the 2025/2026 academic year.

They also raised concerns about transparency and administrative lapses in the management of the scholarship scheme.

“We acknowledge the challenges confronting the current management of GSS and the government, which stem from the ad hoc administration of the scheme by past management. However, students should not bear the consequences of administrative errors made by public officials,” they stated.

Despite their grievances, the scholars expressed appreciation for ongoing government efforts to reform the scholarship program.

“We note with confidence the government’s attempt to enhance transparency and fairness in the scheme,” they said, adding that their group comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, not necessarily aligned with any political party.

The students appealed to the UK High Commissioner and President John Dramani Mahama for urgent intervention to prevent further academic and immigration crises.

“We are therefore appealing to the UK High Commissioner and President John Dramani Mahama to, as a matter of urgency and priority, help secure an immediate resolution, as has been done for other inherited liabilities,” they urged.

JKB/MA

Meanwhile, watch below a video of the disturbing current state of Nana Konadu's Makola Clinic, which has been left to rot: