Nearly 200 Ghanaian students studying at the University of Memphis in the United States have been granted a reprieve after the Government of Ghana paid $1 million toward outstanding tuition fees.
The intervention has temporarily averted the threat of eviction and possible deportation, which loomed over the students in recent weeks due to arrears under the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (GSS) sponsorship programme.
The development comes after weeks of uncertainty that left students and their families anxious about their future. The University of Memphis had earlier sounded the alarm, stating that Ghanaian students could lose their scholarships, housing, and legal residency if fees were not settled by August 9, 2025.
At the height of the crisis, the university indicated that it was owed $3.6 million by Ghana through the GSS, a situation that placed immense pressure on both the students and the institution.
With the $1 million payment, confirmed by the University of Memphis administration, the immediate risk of eviction has been avoided. However, a significant balance of $2.2 million remains unpaid, leaving the situation only partially resolved.
Many of the affected students are pursuing highly competitive programmes in science, engineering, and business, which are seen as critical areas for Ghana’s development.
In Accra, the Registrar of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, Mr. Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei, addressed the matter, acknowledging that the delays in payment were largely due to an ongoing audit of the Secretariat’s operations.
He assured the public and the affected families that government had no intention of allowing the students to face deportation. According to him, the payment was made after necessary approvals and transfers were completed through the Controller and Accountant General’s Department as well as the Bank of Ghana.
“We admit the concerns, but we want to reassure everyone that our students will not be deported. The processes have taken longer than expected, but we are working diligently to clear the arrears.”
Mr. Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei
On the side of the university, President Dr. Bill Hardgrave pointed to Ghana’s political transition following the December 2024 general elections as a contributing factor to the delays in payment.
He however maintained an optimistic outlook, noting that engagements with Ghanaian authorities suggested that the matter would be resolved soon.
“We recognize the challenges that transitions can sometimes pose, but we are encouraged by the steps taken so far. We believe Ghana is committed to meeting its obligations, and we will continue to support our students in the meantime.”
President Dr. Bill Hardgrave
Appeal for Support
As a stopgap measure, the University of Memphis has appealed to its wider community to contribute to the Gary Shorb International Student Support Fund, which provides emergency financial aid for international students facing unexpected hardships.
The call reflects the university’s concern for the welfare of Ghanaian students, many of whom were on the brink of losing not just their education but also their legal right to remain in the United States.
The situation at Memphis is not isolated. In late July 2025, Ghana’s Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo, disclosed that government had begun tackling a mounting GH¢700 million debt owed to educational institutions around the world under the foreign scholarship programme.
He admitted that the scale of the arrears had left hundreds of Ghanaian students at risk of being sacked or suspended due to unpaid tuition fees and stipends. According to him, government was negotiating with institutions to restructure payments while exploring sustainable ways of financing the scholarship programme in the long term.
The crisis has reignited debate in Ghana over the sustainability and management of foreign scholarship schemes. Critics argue that the Secretariat has often been under-resourced and plagued by delays, leading to embarrassing situations where students abroad face uncertainty over their education.
Others contend that while the scholarships are critical for human capital development, they must be managed with greater financial discipline and transparency.
For the students in Memphis, the $1 million payment has provided a lifeline, but anxiety lingers as they await the clearance of the remaining balance. Until then, their academic journeys remain tethered to Ghana’s ability to fulfill its financial obligations.
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