The Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA) has clarified that its ongoing Oath of Affirmation and Scholarship Validation Exercise for beneficiaries in the United Kingdom does not introduce any new obligation or retrospectively alter existing scholarship agreements.
The Authority said the exercise is 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 UK.
The clarification follows concerns raised by executives of the UK PhD Cohort over the exercise.
According to the GSA, the exercise is intended to verify scholarship awards, update beneficiary records and reaffirm commitments associated with government sponsorship.
Oath does not impose new obligation
The Authority said all beneficiaries accepted their scholarships subject to a scholarship bond, which includes an undertaking to return to Ghana within two months of completing their approved programmes of study.
It explained that the Oath of Affirmation merely formalises and reaffirms that existing commitment and does not constitute a new condition of the scholarship.
“The suggestion that beneficiaries are being compelled to accept a new obligation is therefore incorrect,” the Authority said.
The GSA further maintained that it has neither altered nor varied the terms of existing scholarship bonds, stressing that the obligations remain as agreed to by beneficiaries when they accepted the scholarships.
Graduate Route does not cancel return obligation
Addressing concerns surrounding beneficiaries who obtained “No Objection” letters to participate in the UK Graduate Route, the Authority said those letters were issued at the request of individual beneficiaries seeking post-study professional experience under the two-year visa arrangement.
The GSA said the letters did not amount to a waiver, cancellation or variation of the scholarship bond.
It explained that the Graduate Route could provide beneficiaries with additional professional skills and experience that could contribute to Ghana’s human capital development.
However, the Authority stressed that the obligation to return to Ghana and fulfil the terms of the scholarship bond remains in force unless it is expressly and lawfully varied or set aside by the competent authority.
The Authority also acknowledged concerns over outstanding tuition fees and stipend payments, saying it recognises the difficulties delays in such payments may create for beneficiaries.
According to the GSA, it is engaging the Ministry of Finance and other relevant institutions to facilitate the settlement of outstanding obligations.
It, however, maintained that payment delays are separate from the ongoing validation exercise.
The Authority said a delay in tuition or stipend payments does not suspend the obligations contained in a scholarship bond, nor would a beneficiary lose a legitimate entitlement simply by participating in the validation exercise.
The GSA said the validation exercise should not be viewed as an adversarial process and urged affected beneficiaries to participate in it without delay.
It said government scholarships represent a significant investment in Ghana’s human capital and require responsibilities from both the State and beneficiaries.
While the government is expected to honour its commitments to scholarship beneficiaries, the Authority said beneficiaries are equally expected to fulfil the obligations undertaken when accepting government sponsorship.
The GSA said the validation exercise is ultimately aimed at strengthening accountability, protecting the integrity of the scholarship programme, ensuring accurate beneficiary records and promoting fairness and transparency.
The Authority assured beneficiaries that it would continue to engage them respectfully, transparently and in good faith while administering the scholarship programme in line with standards of accountability and integrity.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
