Four Ghanaian students, including well-known Prempeh College alumnus Evans Oppong, have been arrested in the United States for allegedly submitting forged high school transcripts to gain admission to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. The students—identified as Otis Opoku, Evans Oppong, Cyrilstan Sowah-Nai, and Henry Dabuo—are facing charges of theft of service, forgery, and using falsified documents.
The investigation was initiated after suspicions arose regarding a transcript submitted by the older brother of one of the accused. Further scrutiny revealed that fraudulent applications were submitted by multiple Ghanaian students. As a result, all four students were expelled from Lehigh University and taken into custody by the Northampton County Corrections Department.
Evans Oppong, who gained recognition for his participation in the 2021 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), had previously been celebrated for his academic excellence. His involvement in the scandal has left many in Ghana shocked and disheartened, as he was viewed as a role model, inspiring young people to pursue academic success.
The news has quickly spread across social media platforms in Ghana and within the Ghanaian diaspora, leading to a mix of disbelief and outrage. In response, supporters of the accused students have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help fund their legal defense.
The students are now awaiting their first trial hearing, which is set for September 24, 2024. If convicted, they could face serious consequences, including prison time and possible deportation.
This incident highlights the immense pressures some students face when pursuing international educational opportunities and raises concerns about the ethical dilemmas surrounding admissions fraud.
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Story by: Nii Adjetey Quao | universnews.ug.edu.gh
