- Nigerian students receive double the stipend, highlighting the disparity
- Students rely on loans and family support, with some selling personal belongings to survive
- Students have appealed to the government and Scholarship Secretariat for faster disbursement
Ghanaian students studying abroad, particularly in Morocco under a government scholarship programme, are facing severe challenges due to delayed stipends from the Scholarship Secretariat.
These students rely on monthly stipends to cover basic expenses such as food, accommodation, transport, study materials, and administrative costs. However, payments have been stalled for the past eight months, significantly affecting their academic progress and mental well-being.
In an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Augustine Nyameba, a Board Member of the Coalition of Ghana Scholars Abroad, who is currently in Morocco, expressed the students’ distress. He explained that the situation in Morocco was especially dire, though students in other countries like Algeria and Cuba are also facing similar hardships.
Augustine revealed that many students have had to rely on loans and financial support from family members back home, but with no stipends forthcoming, they have exhausted all resources. Some have even resorted to selling personal belongings to survive.
He pointed out the stark contrast with Nigerian students, who receive a monthly stipend of $250—twice the amount given to Ghanaian students, which is often delayed.
“We spend $150 on rent and other necessities, leaving just about $100 for food, transportation, and other expenses,” Augustine said. The situation has worsened to the point where 15 to 18 students are now sharing an apartment meant for five people due to insufficient funds for rent.
“It is illegal for so many to live in one room, but we have no choice. Some are even sleeping in churches,” he added.
In response, Augustine has formally appealed to the government, the Ministry of Finance, and the Scholarship Secretariat to expedite stipend disbursements and prevent further delays.
This issue is not new—students in Morocco protested in May 2024 at the Ghana Embassy, demanding timely stipend payments. They stated that the ongoing delays have caused financial strain, emotional stress, risks, and academic challenges for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students.
