Ghana to proceed with UK PhD scholarship verification despite student protests

Ghana's High Commission in the UK says it will proceed with a planned verification and oath-taking exercise for Ghanaian PhD students funded by the Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA).

High Commissioner Sabah Zita Benson confirmed the exercise despite opposition from student leaders, who have described the requirement as discriminatory and unnecessary.

The students argue that they have already signed bonds committing them to return to Ghana after completing their studies.

But Ms Benson said the scholarship agreements allow the GSA to require beneficiaries to participate in surveys, evaluations and other checks.

She also pointed to a clause requiring scholarship beneficiaries to return to Ghana within two months of completing their studies.

Those who fail to meet their obligations could be required to repay the scholarship funds they received, she said.

"The Ghana High Commission, acting on behalf of the GSA, shall go ahead with the planned verification and oath-taking," Ms Benson said in a Facebook post.

The student leadership has also called for outstanding tuition fees and stipends to be settled before beneficiaries return to Ghana, as well as guarantees of support to help them re-enter the Ghanaian job market.

Ms Benson rejected the demand for guaranteed employment or reintegration, saying no such commitment was contained in the scholarship bond.

She also dismissed claims that the oath-taking requirement was being applied retrospectively, arguing that the GSA had the authority to take measures it considered necessary under the scholarship agreement.

The students are understood to have received scholarships between 2020 and 2025.

Ms Benson said the exercise was intended to protect taxpayers' money and ensure beneficiaries honoured their obligations.

She warned that the government would not abandon the exercise because of pressure from scholarship beneficiaries.

Read below a sample of a bond the students signed: