The Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA) has recently defended its ongoing Oath of Affirmation and Scholarship Validation Exercise for Ghanaian PhD scholarship beneficiaries in the United Kingdom, asserting its lawful operation and absence of new obligations for these students. This exercise, conducted in collaboration with the Ghana High Commission in the UK, follows concerns raised by executives of the UK PhD Cohort and adheres to the Ghana Scholarships Authority Act, 2025 (Act 1149), and the Oaths Act, 1972 (NRCD 6). The Authority has emphasized that the exercise is a formal reaffirmation of commitments made under government-sponsored scholarships, a process designed to verify award status, update beneficiary records, and ensure accuracy of scholarship commitments.
The GSA clarifies that the oath does not introduce new conditions for beneficiaries; rather, it serves as a formal acknowledgment of previously established obligations under the scholarship bonds. The Authority explicitly states that the terms of existing scholarship bonds remain unchanged and that the current exercise is merely intended to confirm those obligations and maintain the integrity of scholarship records.
Specifically, the GSA explained that every beneficiary accepted a scholarship subject to a bond requiring them to return to Ghana within two months of completing their approved programme of study. ‘The Oath of Affirmation does not introduce any additional obligation,’ the Authority declared, describing the exercise as a reaffirmation of commitments already made under these existing bonds. The Authority further clarified that the terms of existing scholarship bonds had not been altered or varied, and that the current exercise was solely meant to confirm those obligations and ensure that beneficiary records remained accurate and up-to-date. The Authority also addressed concerns regarding delays in tuition fee and stipend payments, stating that these payments are separate from the validation exercise and do not suspend the scholarship bonds.
Furthermore, the Authority assured beneficiaries that participating in the validation exercise will not result in any loss of legitimate entitlement. The Authority emphasized that government scholarships represent a significant investment in Ghana’s human capital and are expected to be honored, while beneficiaries are also obligated to fulfill the obligations they accepted when receiving the sponsorship. The Authority underscored that the validation exercise is intended to strengthen accountability, protect the integrity of the scholarship programme, maintain accurate records, and promote fairness and transparency. The Authority urged all affected beneficiaries to honor the invitation and participate in the Oath of Affirmation and Scholarship Validation Exercise without delay, and to continue engaging with the government respectfully and transparently while ensuring that the government’s scholarship programme is administered with accountability and integrity. The full statement is available here: [https://www.adomonline.com/](https://www.adomonline.com/)”, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Source: Adom Online
