Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh flanked by his executives
The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has urged the government to quickly resolve the delayed stipend payments to Ghanaian students studying in Morocco.
According to the student body, the stipend payments to the affected students have been delayed for 10 months, with many of them facing imminent expulsion from their academic programme and eviction from their accommodations.
At a news conference in Accra, NUGS President, Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, expressed concern about the situation and stated that the financial constraint had put the affected students in distress.
He appealed to the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, to personally intervene for the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat to promptly disburse payment.
He said the Ghanaian students, on Monday, May 24, 2024, took to the streets of Rabat in Morocco to complain about the unpaid stipend, which is having ravaging effects on their living and studies.
“This situation is extremely alarming and unacceptable,” the NUGS President remarked, and added that the country has a duty to protect its citizens who have been sent abroad for academic pursuit.
What concerns NUGS President even more is the female students’ inability to purchase sanitary pads, which he describes as “beyond degrading and dehumanizing.”
The student body said it has reached out to some of these students and they have indeed confirmed these distressing situations. What further exacerbates the dilemma, Mr. Osei-Opare said is reportage to NUGS, in regard to Ghanaian students of the 2022/24 cohort in Serbia.
“In their case, it is asserted that they have not received their stipends for 12 months. NUGS are yet to obtain all the facts, but we urge all stakeholders to consider the situation of the aforementioned group as well,” Mr. Kyeremeh said.
“It is further regrettable to note that despite the public outcry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to respond to this urgent matter. That is, in all aspects, spheres and scopes,” he stated.
Additionally, he disclosed that NUGS has asked Madam Osei-Opare and Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, to assist in addressing the issue.
“They have assured us that the necessary actions are being taken,” he added.
“These students need immediate relief and we urge the relevant authorities to expedite action on stipend payments,” he intimated.
The NUGS President again called for a downward review of the interest on the student loan, pointing out that the current rate has put many students in financial distress.
By Ernest Kofi Adu