Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sabah Zita Benson, has confirmed that the Ghana 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). This decision follows concerns raised by the leadership of the scholarship beneficiaries, who have described the exercise as discriminatory and unnecessary.
The initiative is intended to reaffirm the students’ commitment to return to Ghana after completing their studies in the UK, a key objective of the GSA’s scholarship program. The High Commissioner’s statement, issued on August 7, 2023, details the commission’s intent to conduct the verification and oath-taking process, a step that was previously anticipated.
The exercise is a direct response to complaints from the scholarship beneficiaries, who have voiced concerns about the fairness and procedural aspects of the previous process. The beneficiaries initially questioned the necessity of the oath-taking, arguing that they had already signed bonds committing them to return to Ghana after completing their programs. However, in a Facebook post, Madam Benson defended the planned exercise, citing provisions within the scholarship bonds themselves. Specifically, the bond issued by former GSA Registrar Kingsley Agyemang stipulates compliance with requirements set by the Authority, including participation in surveys and evaluations.
Madam Benson further explained that the bond’s requirement for returning to Ghana within two months of completion was a crucial component of the agreement. She emphasized that the exercise falls within the GSA’s mandate, and the High Commissioner has stated that the commission will proceed with the verification and oath-taking, adhering to the terms of the scholarship agreement.
In response to student demands regarding outstanding tuition fees and stipends, the High Commissioner stated that the beneficiaries are seeking timelines for the settlement of these obligations, full payment before returning to Ghana, and guaranteed reintegration into the Ghanaian job market. The Commission’s stance on the obligation to reintegrate them into society, however, is noteworthy, as it contradicts the terms of the scholarship bond. The High Commissioner reiterated that the GSA has the authority to implement measures necessary under the scholarship agreement.
The High Commissioner further warned that the government would not be pressured into cancelling the exercise, stressing that beneficiaries who had received public funds could not compel the state to abandon measures intended to enforce the terms of the scholarship agreement. She urged the students to take note of the government’s position as preparations for the verification and oath-taking exercise continue. The High Commissioner also cautioned that the exercise is being conducted in the interest of taxpayers and to ensure that beneficiaries honor the obligations attached to their scholarships.
Read the bond beneficiaries signed below:
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Source: Adom Online
