Ghanaian PhD scholars in UK reject Ghana High Commission’s oath exercise
The leadership of Ghana Scholarship Secretariat-sponsored PhD students in the United Kingdom has rejected a proposed oath-taking exercise announced by the Ghana High Commission, describing the initiative as unnecessary and discriminatory.
The exercise is reportedly intended to reaffirm the students’ commitment to return to Ghana after completing their studies.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 7, the student leadership expressed concern about the planned exercise, arguing that beneficiaries had already signed bond agreements obliging them to return to Ghana after their programmes.
The students said they were familiar with the annual progress review conducted by the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (GSS), which assesses beneficiaries’ academic progress and facilitates the renewal of their scholarship letters.
They explained that the process had traditionally involved students responding to questions from an academic panel and submitting documents, including previous scholarship award letters and evidence of academic progression.
Because scholarship beneficiaries are studying at universities spread across the UK, the students said the reviews had largely been conducted remotely by the GSS office in Accra in collaboration with the Education Liaison Officer in the UK.
They therefore questioned why the Ghana High Commission had decided to introduce a physical oath-taking exercise at unspecified locations across the country.
The students also raised concerns over outstanding tuition fees and stipends, alleging that several beneficiaries had gone for months without receiving payments due to them.
They accused scholarship management of using the proposed exercise to further delay the settlement of outstanding tuition fees and stipends, which they said had already accumulated over several months.
The student leadership also challenged the application of provisions under the Ghana Scholarship Authority Act, 2025, to beneficiaries whose scholarships were awarded under the former Ghana Scholarships Secretariat.
They expressed concern over repeated references to Section 31 of the new law, arguing that it was not in force when their scholarship awards were issued.
According to the students, the conditions governing scholarship renewal, academic progression and their eventual return to Ghana were already clearly outlined in their scholarship award letters and bond agreements.
They further disputed the Ghana High Commission’s interpretation of Section 11 of the Oaths Act, 1972 (NRCD 6), arguing that the provision does not specifically require Ghanaian students sponsored to study in the UK to swear an oath before a diplomat.
The student leaders also accused the proposed exercise of being discriminatory because beneficiaries of scholarships administered by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) were not included.
They subsequently advised members to boycott the exercise until their concerns were properly addressed, while stressing that they were not opposed to efforts to improve scholarship administration.
Among their demands is a clear schedule for settling all outstanding tuition fees and stipends. They also want an assurance that students will not be compelled to return to Ghana until all outstanding payments have been cleared, as well as guarantees of proper reintegration into Ghana’s labour market after graduation.
The students further demanded that each participant receive a completed copy of any document signed during the proposed exercise.
They called for the validation process to be conducted online to reduce costs, suggesting that management return to the previous system of submitting validation forms electronically.
The students said their financial difficulties made it difficult to travel to physical validation centres, particularly because many had allegedly gone for months without receiving their allowances.
They further claimed that some beneficiaries had been evicted from their accommodation because of their inability to meet rent obligations, making an online validation system more practical.
The student leadership also questioned the reported issuance of Letters of No Objection (LONO) to graduates seeking two-year practical work experience in the UK.
They asked why such letters were still being issued when the Director-General of the Ghana Scholarship Authority had reportedly criticised the arrangement during media appearances.
The students also sought clarification over reported agreements between scholarship managers and some UK universities concerning tuition payments.
They questioned why arrangements reportedly involving a 10% tuition fee payment for sponsored students at institutions including the University of Nottingham and the University of Birmingham were being pursued if scholarship authorities were unaware of the beneficiaries studying in the UK.
The student leadership has consequently called on the Ghana High Commission and the Ghana Scholarship Authority to clarify the purpose and legal basis of the proposed oath-taking exercise, address outstanding scholarship payments and explain the conditions governing beneficiaries’ return to Ghana.
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