The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has called for immediate intervention in response to critical issues facing Ghanaian students both locally and abroad.
This comes after a protest by scholarship beneficiaries in Morocco over a delay in the release of their stipends, which has now extended over 10 months.
Speaking at a press conference held at the NUGS Secretariat on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, National President of NUGS, Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel highlighted two major concerns: long-overdue stipends for Ghanaian students in Morocco and persistent problems with the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF).
He expressed the union’s deep concern regarding the current challenges faced by Ghanaian students in Morocco, who have been left without stipends for months.
“Our oversight has identified that Ghanaian students studying in Morocco on various government scholarships are facing dire conditions due to non-payment of their stipends for about 10 months. This situation is extremely alarming and unacceptable. Ghanaian students, whom our country has a duty to protect, are on the verge of being evicted from their accommodations, struggling to renew their residence permits, and are unable to obtain basic needs such as food and sanitary products. The inability to purchase sanitary pads, in the case of our female students, is degrading and dehumanizing.”
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Kyeremeh revealed reports of unpaid stipends for Ghanaian students in Serbia.
“It is alleged that Ghanaian students of the 2022/2024 cohort in Serbia have not received their stipends for 12 months. NUGS is yet to obtain all the facts but urges all stakeholders to consider the situation of this group as well.”
Also, addressing student loan concerns, Kyeremeh highlighted the hardships students face due to delays in disbursement and high interest rates.
“It is undeniable that the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) is a critical lifeline for many students in Ghana. Unfortunately, NUGS has received numerous complaints about delays in loan disbursement and the high compounding interest rates. These issues have placed undue financial burdens on students, hindering their academic progress and overall well-being.”
According to him, in response to these issues, NUGS has engaged with key government officials, who have assured that necessary actions are being initiated to resolve the stipend delays.
NUGS has also engaged with the leadership of the SLTF and presented several proposals to address these challenges. Mr. Mahama Bayorlo, Chief Executive Officer of SLTF, confirmed that the allowance for teacher trainees has been received and is currently being processed for payment.
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Story by: Abdul Razak Wahab|| univers.ug.edu.gh
