NPP Inherited $86 Million Scholarship Debt in 2017

Former Ghana Scholarship Secretariat registrar Dr Kingsley Agyemang said the NPP government inherited a US$86 million scholarship debt in 2017 and cleared it to keep Ghanaian students abroad.

Dr Agyemang told The Probe on Sunday via JoyNews that the arrears left by the first NDC administration threatened the continuation of many scholars’ programmes abroad because fees and stipends remained unpaid. He added that the debt had mounted to an unsustainable level, prompting urgent action.

He explained that without immediate settlement, dozens of beneficiaries faced possible withdrawal from their overseas universities, jeopardising their academic progression. Families of affected students had already expressed anxiety over potential cancellations.

The NPP government, according to Dr Agyemang, acted swiftly after assuming office, channeling funds to settle the US$86 million liability and ensuring that “no student was sent home”.

\”I inherited US$86 million, and my government came to the aid of the students, and no students were sent home,\” Dr Agyemang said.

The issue forms part of a broader scholarship debt burden. In July, Youth Development and Empowerment Minister George Opare Addo disclosed that the state now carries an additional GH₵700 million of unpaid scholarship obligations. The GH₵700 million figure reflects debts accrued from both the NDC and NPP administrations combined.

Abuakwa South MP Samuel Atta Akyea called on former President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and address the lingering debt, warning that continued delays could trigger deportations of Ghanaian scholars, as recent reports from the UK suggest. The MP stressed that timely settlement is essential to maintain Ghana’s reputation as a reliable partner in international scholarship programmes.

While the NPP’s clearance of the 2017 debt has been welcomed, analysts caution that the accumulated scholarship liabilities remain a fiscal challenge that could affect future allocations for education and foreign study programmes. The Ministry of Education is also exploring alternative funding models to reduce reliance on external scholarships.

Officials said they are reviewing the overall scholarship financing framework to prevent similar crises, and pledged regular updates as the government works to safeguard Ghanaian students’ overseas studies. The government urges scholars and their families to stay informed through official channels.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE