Ghanaian students studying in Serbia are reportedly encountering considerable challenges due to delayed stipends from the Scholarship Secretariat.
These stipends, intended to support their academic pursuits, have remained unchanged for over a year, leading to significant disruptions in their studies and affecting their mental well-being as they cope with life in a foreign country.
Students interviewed by Citi News highlighted that their financial stability largely depends on loans or jobs with low wages.
Abdul Salam Mohammed, a Ghanaian Student in Serbia said, “We came in May [2023] and we haven’t received our stipends since last year, so it’s almost been 11 months. Even though we’ve had constant engagement with the Secretariat, nothing has been done about it and this has been a challenge for us. Many of us are adapting by doing a lot of menial jobs here and there which is also affecting our academics.
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.”
Discussions surrounding scholarships have heightened following an investigative report by The Fourth Estate, which uncovered instances of influential individuals and associates of powerful figures receiving scholarships. This revelation deviates from the Scholarship Secretariat’s intended purpose of aiding academically gifted but financially needy students, both locally and internationally.
The report has sparked public outrage, particularly as students abroad continue to face challenges with delayed stipends, impeding their academic progress. Ghanaian students studying in Hungary have expressed similar concerns.
Dr. Peter Anti Partey, Executive Secretary of the Institute for Education Studies, has described the situation as ‘unfortunate’ and has called for Presidential intervention to address the issue.
“It is a bit strange because while these huge sums of money are being given to people, others are out there complaining that monies supposed to be paid them haven’t been received. It’s a messy situation, and that’s why we think that it shouldn’t be limited to the Office of the Special Prosecutor but also the President must make an intervention, and set up a commission of enquiry and at the end of the day we can have far-reaching recommendations that would reform the scholarship secretariat.”