Ghana High Commission in UK insists on oath-taking for PhD students despite objections
Ghana's High Commission in the United Kingdom has affirmed its decision to proceed with a verification and oath-taking exercise for Ghanaian PhD students sponsored by the Ghana Scholarships Authority GSA. This comes despite objections from the students, who argue they have already signed scholarship bonds requiring their return to Ghana after studies. They also raised concerns about unpaid tuition fees and stipends. Ghana's High Commissioner to the UK, Sabah Zita Benson, defended the exercise, stating that scholarship agreements allow the GSA to monitor beneficiaries and ensure compliance with obligations. Benson cited clauses in the bonds requiring students to abide by GSA requirements and return to Ghana within two months of completing their studies. She also dismissed student demands for guaranteed job market reintegration, noting no such provision exists in the scholarship bond. Benson questioned why some demands, particularly regarding outstanding stipends, were not raised earlier, given that the scholarships were awarded between 2020 and 2025. She maintained that the planned oath does not introduce new conditions but is covered by the existing scholarship agreement terms, aiming to protect public funds and ensure beneficiaries fulfill their scholarship conditions.
