Ghanaian students in UK allege assault by High Commission during protest over unpaid scholarships
Six Ghanaian master’s students studying at Loughborough University under government scholarship sponsorship have accused staff of the Ghana High Commission of verbally abusing and physically assaulting a colleague during a protest over delayed scholarship payments.
The students held a peaceful demonstration outside the High Commission on Monday, alleging that they have not received tuition payments and living allowances from the Government of Ghana for more than 18 months.
According to the students, outstanding tuition fees and stipend arrears amounting to £238,852 have left them unable to graduate despite completing their academic programmes.
Speaking to Citi FM, the group’s convener, Noah Krah, said officials at the High Commission failed to engage with the protesters during the demonstration.
He claimed that although the students remained outside the mission for about four hours, no official came out to address their concerns or provide any formal response.
Krah further alleged that tensions escalated when two students entered the High Commission building, where they were subjected to verbal insults by some staff members.
He claimed officials referred to the students using derogatory language and questioned their entitlement to public scholarship funding.
According to him, the situation worsened when one of the students, Abena Fosuah, attempted to record the exchange on her mobile phone.
Krah alleged that several staff members forcibly seized her phone and deleted recordings, including interviews she had conducted for academic purposes.
He said a formal complaint detailing the protest and the alleged assault had been submitted to the Head of Education and Recruitment at the High Commission, but no response had been received.
The students are demanding a full investigation into the incident, immediate settlement of the outstanding scholarship payments, and an official apology from those allegedly involved.
Krah also stated that medical assessments indicated the affected student suffered soft tissue injuries that may take up to two weeks to heal.
He added that doctors prescribed treatment and advised the student to report the matter to the police, Citizens Advice and the Ombudsman.
According to him, the student has also undergone an X-ray examination and has been offered mental health support due to the trauma resulting from the incident.
Source: Myjoyonline
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