The National Union of Ghana Students – United Kingdom (NUGS UK) has called for urgent government intervention over two issues affecting Ghanaian students in the UK: the continued requirement for IELTS examinations and delays in scholarship payments.
In a press statement dated 25 February 2026, NUGS UK renewed its appeal for diplomatic efforts to secure exemptions or recognised alternatives to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirement for Ghanaian students educated entirely in English.
Ghana is an English-speaking country where English is the official language and the primary medium of instruction from basic to tertiary level. NUGS UK argues that the additional English proficiency test imposes unnecessary financial and administrative burdens on students and professionals.
The union is urging sustained bilateral dialogue between Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana High Commission in the UK, and relevant UK education and migration authorities to find what it described as a “fair and practical resolution”.
Scholarship Payment Delays
NUGS UK also expressed concern over reported delays in the disbursement of government scholarship funds to Ghanaian students in UK universities, including beneficiaries at Loughborough University.
According to the statement, the affected students are sponsored by the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
The union said the delays have resulted in outstanding tuition fee balances, restrictions on academic progression, delays or refusals in post-study work approvals, heightened risks of visa expiration and significant emotional distress.
“It is unacceptable that Ghanaian students, officially sponsored by the Government of Ghana, are placed in precarious immigration and academic positions due to administrative delays beyond their control,” the statement said.
Call for Immediate Intervention
NUGS UK is calling on the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat, GETFund, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance to urgently settle outstanding tuition obligations, establish and communicate clear payment timelines to affected universities and issue formal assurance letters where payments are pending.
The union also urged the Ghana High Commission in the UK to engage diplomatically with affected institutions to safeguard the academic and immigration status of Ghanaian students.
Protecting Ghana’s Reputation
The group warned that failure to honour scholarship commitments risks reputational damage to Ghana, reduced trust from international institutions and future barriers for Ghanaian students.
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“Education remains a strategic national investment. Our scholars abroad represent Ghana’s future leadership and global influence,” the statement said.
NUGS UK said it would continue engaging stakeholders until concrete resolutions are achieved and called for swift, coordinated action to ensure no Ghanaian student in the UK is left academically or financially stranded.
Ghanaian authorities are yet to respond publicly to the concerns raised.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
