Ghana and Russia expand student scholarships amid stipend crisis

Ghana and Russia have agreed to double the number of annual fully funded scholarships for Ghanaian students from 120 to 240. Ghanaian Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the increase during an official visit, noting that the scholarships will prioritize critical fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Petroleum Sciences, and Pharmaceuticals. The two nations also discussed cooperation in nuclear energy, climate change, and counterterrorism.

However, approximately 200 Ghanaian scholarship students currently in Russia report they have not received stipends for 14 months. Jibril Kojo Nkum, president of the National Union of Ghana Students in Russia, stated that the lack of funds has left students unable to cover rising costs for accommodation, insurance, and medical expenses. Students face risks regarding visa renewals and the ability to legalize academic documents if outstanding fees remain unpaid. The Ghanaian Embassy indicated that delays in funding from the Ministry of Finance and inadequate budget allocations have contributed to the stipend delays.