Ghanaian students studying in Serbia are facing significant challenges due to delayed stipends from the Scholarship Secretariat, affecting their academic pursuits and mental well-being.
These stipends, designed to support their studies, have not been disbursed for over a year, causing hardships as they try to manage their expenses abroad.
According to some students interviewed by Citi News, they have had to rely on loans or take up low-paying jobs to sustain themselves, which in turn has impacted their academic performance.
Abdul Salam Mohammed, one of the affected students, expressed frustration over the lack of action from the Secretariat despite ongoing engagement, highlighting the adverse effects on their academic and personal lives.
Another student who spoke on anonymity stated, “I arrived in Serbia last year and the main challenge here is with finances. We struggle to cater for many of our needs here and this affects our studies which is the main reason why we’re in this country. We borrow money from our country mates and people from other African countries to feed ourselves. Even moving to the main campus for lectures is by bus and if we don’t have money to do that, how do we learn.”
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The conversation surrounding scholarships has gained momentum following an investigative report by The Fourth Estate, which highlighted cases of influential individuals and associates of powerful figures receiving scholarships. This contradicts the Scholarship Secretariat’s original purpose of supporting academically gifted but financially needy students, both locally and internationally.
The report has sparked public outcry, particularly as some students abroad continue to face challenges due to delayed stipends, impacting their academic endeavors. Ghanaian students studying in Hungary have also expressed similar concerns.
In response to the situation, Dr. Peter Anti Partey, the Executive Secretary of the Institute for Education Studies, has described it as “unfortunate” and called for Presidential intervention to address the issue.
