No students sent home over GH₵700m scholarship debt — former registrar asserts
The former Registrar of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, has refuted claims that students were sent home in 2025 over outstanding scholarship debts, saying the figure of US$86 million allegedly inherited in 2017 was cleared, and no beneficiary lost their school placement.
He told JoyNews during an interview that the debt burden, which forced previous administrations to manage large arrears, was addressed by the subsequent government before the 2024-25 academic year, ensuring that Ghanaian students abroad remained enrolled and were not expelled due to unpaid fees. He described the debt as a “legacy challenge” rather than a result of mismanagement under his office.
Dr Agyemang stated that uncovering and clearing legacy arrears was a priority to safeguard the academic careers of thousands of Ghanaian students studying abroad. He added that despite financial strain, the Secretariat worked to negotiate with foreign institutions and honour fee obligations, thereby avoiding academic disruption or student expulsion.
Sanctions and fear of displacement reportedly weighed heavily on students for months before the debt was cleared. According to the former registrar, the Secretariat engaged directly with institutions abroad to delay deadlines, request extensions, and pay staggered amounts, actions that prevented immediate shutdown of study programs.
The clarification comes amid renewed scrutiny of scholarship administration in Ghana. Civil society and student groups have repeatedly called for transparency, stronger auditing, and regular publication of beneficiaries and outstanding balances. Many say that while the admission of debt is understandable, failure to provide clear statements jeopardises student welfare and institutional trust.
With Dr Agyemang’s statement, the public gains some clarity: despite the large inherited arrears, no Ghanaian student was forced out of school over unpaid fees, evidence that timely intervention and debt management helped avert an education crisis.
The case highlights the importance of responsible scholarship management, continuous oversight, and diplomatic negotiation with foreign institutions. For many students and their families, the reassurance is welcome, as it restores faith in national commitment to education and reinforces the view that academic opportunities should not be compromised by legacy debts.
