Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sabah Zita Benson, has confirmed that the High Commission will proceed with a planned verification and oath-taking exercise for PhD students in the UK sponsored by the Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA).
The exercise has attracted opposition from representatives of the scholarship beneficiaries, who have described the requirement as discriminatory and unnecessary, arguing that they had already signed bonds committing them to return to Ghana after completing their studies.
The students’ leadership, in a statement issued on Friday, August 7, questioned the basis for introducing an additional oath-taking requirement and raised concerns over outstanding tuition and stipend payments.
Madam Benson, however, said the students’ scholarship bonds already contained provisions requiring beneficiaries to comply with conditions set by the GSA, including surveys and evaluations.
She also pointed to a clause requiring beneficiaries to return to Ghana within two months of completing their studies, adding that those who fail to honour their obligations could be required to refund the scholarship funds received.
The High Commissioner further rejected demands by the students for guaranteed reintegration into Ghana’s job market, arguing that no such commitment was contained in the scholarship agreements they signed.
“In the bond they signed, I see no obligation by Government to reintegrate them into society,” she said.
She questioned why some of the concerns being raised by the students were not brought up earlier, particularly as the beneficiaries were awarded scholarships between 2020 and 2025.
Madam Benson also dismissed claims that the oath-taking requirement was being applied retrospectively, maintaining that the GSA had the authority to introduce measures necessary to ensure compliance with scholarship conditions.
“The Ghana High Commission, acting on behalf of the GSA, shall go ahead with the planned verification and oath-taking,” she stated.
She said the exercise was being undertaken in the interest of taxpayers and to ensure that beneficiaries fulfil the obligations attached to the scholarships, adding that the government had reasons for introducing the verification process.
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