Ghanaian students enrolled in academic programs in Serbia are grappling with significant hurdles stemming from delayed stipend disbursements, as reported by the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat.
Many students have not received their stipends since their arrival in the country, leading to a critical situation where expulsion from academic pursuits looms for some.
The root causes of this dilemma include mounting financial constraints and administrative obstacles, prompting students to explore alternative avenues to sustain their livelihoods.
Reports indicate that students are compelled to seek out loans or accept low-paying jobs to make ends meet.
Beyond the immediate financial ramifications, the prevailing circumstances have inflicted profound psychological distress on affected students.
Urgent appeals have been issued to the Ghanaian government, urging swift action to alleviate the hardships endured by its citizens studying abroad.
Abdul Salam Mohammed, a Ghanaian student in Serbia, narrating his ordeal 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 to Citi News said “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.”