Ghanaian PhD students in the United Kingdom are currently facing an unprecedented and severe crisis, grappling with the imminent threat of deportation and forced withdrawal from their academic programs. This dire situation stems from the consistent and prolonged failure of the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat (GSS) to disburse tuition fees and stipends, with some arrears extending for up to 48 months.

In a press release issued on Thursday, November 9, executives representing the Ghanaian PhD cohort in the UK highlighted the critical nature of their plight. They revealed that the non-payment of tuition fees has already led to at least ten students being excluded or withdrawn from their respective universities. These students now face the grim prospect of deportation, awaiting potential notification from the Home Office.

The financial neglect has crippled the students’ ability to maintain a decent standard of living and focus on their studies. Many have endured months, and in some cases years, without receiving their monthly stipends, which typically range between £1,023 and £1,200. This has resulted in severe consequences, including evictions from homes and legal proceedings over unpaid rent, as several colleagues have reported.

The crisis extends beyond immediate financial strain, deeply impacting academic progression and immigration status. Currently, approximately 110 students sponsored by the GSS are enrolled in PhD programs across various UK universities. A significant number, specifically 36 members of the cohort, are in urgent need of scholarship renewal letters, which have been delayed for nearly ten months. Without these crucial letters, students are unable to re-enrol, continue their research, or undergo necessary progression reviews for the 2025/26 academic year.

Academic challenges are manifold: some students have completed their courses but cannot graduate or receive their certificates due to outstanding tuition fees. Others who traveled to Ghana for essential data collection have been refused re-entry into the UK, caught between outstanding university fees and Home Office deportation notices flagged against their profiles. A separate challenge affects ten members who are unable to access the necessary visa documentation required to maintain their legal status, effectively placing their entire academic careers in jeopardy.