The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has called on the Government of Ghana to immediately take measures to pay unpaid stipends for Ghanaian students studying in Morocco.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, the President of the National Union of Ghanaian Students, Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel indicated that Ghanaian students studying in Morocco on government scholarships have not received their stipends for approximately ten months.
“We are adamant in our call to the Government and the Scholarship Secretariat to swiftly address this issue, and respectably so. These students need immediate relief, and we urge the relevant authorities to expedite the payment of the overdue stipends.
“It is injudicious and unacceptable, to mistreat our children in another African country, who are studying to return; to contribute their quota to the development of our dear nation”.
NUGS President, Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel
He stated that the failure on the part of the government to pay these stipends over the past ten months has forced students into precarious living conditions, including the threat of eviction from their accommodations and difficulties in renewing their residence permits.
Mr Oppong Daniel also added that the situation has left several students struggling to afford necessities such as food and sanitary products.
He emphasized the dire situation of these students, highlighting that female students are particularly affected by the inability to purchase sanitary pads, a situation he described as degrading and dehumanizing.
He invoked Article 26(2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which mandates that education should contribute to the full development of human personality and the strengthening of respect for human rights to underscore the need for urgent action from the government.
“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.
“As a matter of urgency, NUGS had engagements with the Minister of Education, Hon. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare at the late hours of yesterday, May 28, 2024. They have assured us that, necessary actions are being initiated.
NUGS President, Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel
The NUGS President, Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel further stated that while the union is counting on the government for its immediate intervention, the union is also mobilizing support for the affected students through partnerships.
He thus called on students experiencing similar conditions in the other part of the world to reach out to the union for assistance.
He emphasized that the union is taking immediate measures to address all issues of unpaid stipends for students engaged in exchange programs in Francophone countries as well.
Student Loan Issues
Moreover, the President of the National Union of Ghanaian Students, Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel called on the government to immediately disburse funds to the Student Loan Trust Fund Secretariat to enable the secretariat to pay its beneficiaries.
The NUGS President, while underscoring the critical role of the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) in supporting students in Ghana further bemoaned the delayed in the disbursements of fund and high interest rates.
He posited that these problems, particularly the delay in the disbursement of funds to the secretariat for onward payment of loans to students have imposed significant financial burdens on students, hindering their academic progress and well-being.
Among several measures to address the challenges confronting the Student Loan Trust Fund, the National Union of Ghanaian Students urged the government to speed up loan payments to the Student Loan Trust Fund Secretariat to ensure timely disbursement of loans to beneficiaries.
The union also called for the reduction of interest rates on loans given to students to make loans easily manageable for beneficiaries post-graduation as well as the adjustment of loan amounts to beneficiaries to account for varying program costs and the rising cost of living.
In addition, the National Union of Ghanaian Students urged the Students Loan Trust Fund Secretariat to directly pay tuition fees to institutions to prevent disruptions in education.
The President of the National Union of Ghanaian Students concluded by commending the SLTF for its efficient repayment framework for past beneficiaries and further praised the Chief Executive of the SLTF, Mr. Mahama Bayorbo, for facilitating the process for the payment of teacher trainees’ allowances.
President Kyeremh Oppong Daniel also reaffirmed the union’s commitment to advocating for the rights and welfare of Ghanaian students, pledging that the union will continue to engage all relevant stakeholders to resolve all matters confronting Ghanaian students both at home and abroad.
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