The no-payment-of-stipends tale has become quite an old and, indeed, distressing one which students studying in Russia have had to grapple with. Currently, the Government of Ghana has accrued arrears of over seven months, inclusive of book allowances for about 140 students. While the Russian Government has honored its obligations for the period in question, the Ghana Government has failed to do so and has consequently placed the students in a very distressing situation.
This problem is not novel; it has been persisting for years, right from the era of the late President Mills down to successive governments. The situation got worse during the era of the previous administration when the then-Registrar, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, prioritized running for a parliamentary seat over the needs of students in his care. It simply symbolizes the failure of the system that is supposed to take responsibility for its citizens living abroad.
Indeed, the leaders of students have written various letters to a higher authority which seem to have yielded little or no effect on changing their situation but are often discarded with arrogant responses. Since then, The National Union of Ghanaian students in Russia have been in limbo, being shuffled from one office to another without anyone wanting accountability for solution to the problems. Recently, appeals have been made to the Speaker of Parliament , Finance Minister and the Chief of Staff, yet the students are still in dire need for action to be taken.
Attached: A letter to the Speaker of Parliament **
This struggle is not new for the current government. When it was in opposition, then the minority, asked the then administration to take immediate steps to pay outstanding tuition fees and stipends for Ghanaian students abroad. Now, there are even talks of an overhaul of the Scholarship Secretariat. Such changes must not be at the expense of hungry Ghanian students who are abroad and need assistance.
These consequences range from dire to worse, affecting students’ academic performance, mental health, and social well-being. Timely stipend and book allowance disbursements would help the students cover vital expenditures such as medical insurance, hostel fees, and general upkeep. Most direly affected, however, are new students who arrived in Russia with no financial support and are at the mercy of other Ghanian students. However, this is not a sustainable solution. The pressure and uncertainty are taking a toll on the students’ mental health and academic progress, while the families back home are anxious and helpless.
If this condition persists, then not only the learning of students contributing toward the development of Ghana but also the pride which they have for being a citizen of Ghana is at stake.
This situation requires the immediate action of the government to overcome not only its responsibilities but also its pledge for the future and well-being of its citizens.
