File photo of students during a university graduation ceremony
Six government-sponsored Ghanaian master's students at the Loughborough University in the United Kingdom have renewed calls for urgent intervention over unpaid tuition fees and living stipends, accusing authorities of failing to honour scholarship commitments despite repeated assurances since 2024.
In a statement dated June 15, 2026, the students said the government of Ghana, through the former Ghana Scholarships Secretariat, now the Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA), had not paid any tuition fees or stipends since they arrived in the UK in September 2024.
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 programmes at Loughborough University during the 2024/2025 academic year.
"We received government scholarships to pursue master's programmes at Loughborough University during the 2024/2025 academic year. The Government of Ghana committed to paying full tuition fees and monthly living stipends. However, since we arrived in the United Kingdom in September 2024, the Government has not paid any tuition fees or stipends," the students stated.
According to the group, "the amount required to settle all outstanding obligations stands at £238,852, comprising £154,000 in tuition fees for the 2024/2025 academic year and £84,852 in stipend arrears covering September 2024 to September 2025. At an exchange rate of GH¢14.32 to £1, the tuition fees amount to GH¢2,205,280, while the stipend arrears amount to GH¢1,215,080, bringing the total outstanding obligation to GH¢3,420,360.00"
The students noted that although the university's financial records currently show the outstanding fees under their accounts, the responsibility remains with the Ghanaian government under the terms of the scholarship agreement.
"Addressing these outstanding obligations would immediately enable the resolution of the academic certification and immigration challenges currently facing the affected students," they said.
The students further alleged that they were compelled to forfeit 12 months of unpaid stipends as a condition for obtaining a "Letter of No Objection" needed to apply for the UK's Graduate Visa.
"Despite enduring extreme hardship to complete all our academic requirements, we were compelled to forfeit our 12-month stipends as a precondition for being granted the 'Letter of No Objection' required to apply for our Graduate Visa," the statement said.
They described the requirement as "an unjust and unilateral alteration of the terms of our sponsorship at our most vulnerable moment."
The students said they had spent the past eight months pursuing various channels to resolve the issue, including meetings with officials of the Ghana High Commission in London, petitions to the Ghanaian High Commissioner, appeals to the UK Prime Minister's Office and engagement with Dr. Jeevun Sandher, Member of Parliament for Loughborough.
According to the group, officials repeatedly assured them that payments would be made, including a pledge to settle outstanding fees during the first quarter of 2026. However, they said the deadline passed without any payment.
They also referenced a communiqué signed by the Director of the Ghana Scholarships Authority on April 16, 2026, indicating that government funds had been released to settle scholarship debts in the UK.
"Despite this communiqué, the government has still not paid a single penny to Loughborough University or to the affected students. The situation, therefore, remains unresolved," they said.
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The students detailed severe financial hardship resulting from the prolonged delay, saying they had depended heavily on support from friends, church members and charitable organisations.
"For almost two years, we have survived largely through the kindness of friends and members of churches we joined after arriving in the UK. These individuals have supported us with food and assisted with rent payments to prevent homelessness," they stated.
The group added that some students had been forced to skip meals, rely on food banks and walk long distances because they could not afford transportation.
Academically, they said they had completed all degree requirements, including examinations and dissertations, but remained unable to graduate because the university continues to withhold certificates and academic transcripts due to the unpaid tuition fees.
"We have all completed our academic requirements, including examinations and dissertations. However, Loughborough University has not allowed us to graduate and continues to withhold our certificates and academic transcripts due to unpaid tuition fees by the sponsor.
"As a result, we cannot formally prove completion of our degrees, access employment opportunities, or move forward with our professional development," the statement noted.
The students also expressed concerns about ongoing immigration challenges, saying some visa applications remain unresolved, leaving affected individuals unable to work legally and support themselves financially.
Calling for immediate action, the group urged the government to provide a definite payment date and settle all outstanding obligations before Loughborough University's graduation ceremony scheduled for July 7, 2026.
"We respectfully request that the responsible authorities provide a clear and exact payment date for the settlement of all outstanding tuition fees and stipend arrears," they said.
They further warned that any additional delay could prevent them from attending graduation and formally receiving their academic certificates.
"This matter raises serious concerns about the treatment of government-sponsored students abroad, the credibility of Ghana's scholarship commitments, and the country's international reputation," they added.
See the full statement below:
JKB/VPO
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