The Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA) has warned Ghanaian government scholarship beneficiaries in the United Kingdom that they risk forfeiting their awards if they fail to participate in a mandatory oath and scholarship validation exercise.

The Authority said the exercise was aimed at verifying scholarship awards, updating beneficiary records and reaffirming commitments already contained in scholarship bonds signed by beneficiaries when they accepted government sponsorship.

The clarification follows concerns from executives of the UK PhD Cohort, who have criticised the administration of government scholarships, particularly delays in the payment of tuition fees, stipends and other obligations to Ghanaian students in the UK.

In a statement signed by GSA Director-General Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei and dated August 10, the Authority said the exercise was being conducted under the Ghana Scholarships Authority Act, 2025 (Act 1149) and the Oaths Act, 1972 (NRCD 6), in collaboration with the Ghana High Commission in the United Kingdom.

The GSA said the exercise was lawful and formed part of efforts to strengthen accountability and keep records of government-sponsored students accurate and up to date.

The Authority rejected concerns that the validation exercise introduced new conditions for existing scholarship beneficiaries.

“The Authority has not altered, varied or imposed any new terms on existing scholarship bonds,” the GSA stated.

“The obligations contained in the bonds remain exactly as agreed to by beneficiaries at the time their scholarships were accepted.”

The GSA said beneficiaries had already undertaken, among other obligations, to return to Ghana within two months of completing their approved programmes of study.

It said the validation exercise was therefore intended to reaffirm existing commitments rather than retrospectively impose new requirements.

The Authority also addressed concerns about Letters of No Objection issued to some beneficiaries seeking to remain in the UK under the Graduate Route after completing their studies.

It said the letters were issued at the request of individual beneficiaries seeking post-study professional experience under the applicable two-year Graduate Route visa arrangement.

The GSA stressed that the letters did not amount to a waiver, cancellation or variation of scholarship bonds.

It said the Graduate Route could allow beneficiaries to acquire additional professional skills and experience that could contribute to Ghana’s human capital development.

However, the underlying obligation to return to Ghana remains unless it is expressly and lawfully varied or set aside by the competent authority, the GSA said.

The Authority acknowledged concerns over outstanding tuition fees and stipends, saying delays could create significant difficulties for students.

It said it was engaging the Ministry of Finance and other relevant institutions to facilitate the settlement of outstanding obligations and remained committed to addressing legitimate payments owed to beneficiaries.

The GSA, however, maintained that payment challenges were separate from the validation exercise and did not release beneficiaries from obligations contained in their scholarship bonds.

“A delay in the payment of tuition or stipends does not suspend the obligations contained in a scholarship bond,” the Authority stated.

The dispute over scholarship payments has persisted for months.

In April, the UK PhD Cohort announced plans to demonstrate at the Ghana High Commission in London over delays in tuition payments and living stipends. The students said some beneficiaries had gone between 15 and 40 months without receiving statutory living allowances, while unpaid tuition fees had created academic and immigration-related difficulties for some.

The planned demonstration was later suspended after the GSA said funds had been released to address part of the arrears.

The cohort subsequently raised further concerns in June and announced another planned protest in July over continued delays.

The GSA said the validation exercise was not intended to be adversarial but to strengthen accountability, protect the integrity of the scholarship programme and promote fairness and transparency.

It said government scholarships represented a significant investment in Ghana’s human capital and involved responsibilities for both the State and beneficiaries.

While the government was required to honour its commitments, the Authority said beneficiaries were equally expected to honour the undertakings they made when accepting sponsorship.

“The Ghana Scholarships Authority therefore urges all affected beneficiaries to honour the invitation and participate in the Oath of Affirmation and Scholarship Validation Exercise without delay,” the statement said.

It warned that beneficiaries who fail to participate in the mandatory exercise risk forfeiting their scholarship awards.