The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to take immediate steps to settle outstanding tuition and related fees owed to Ghanaian students studying in the United Kingdom under government scholarship.

According to the caucus, several affected students have formally petitioned it over delays in the payment of their fees, warning that the situation has become critical and could have serious consequences for their academic status and immigration standing in the UK.

The students, many of whom are pursuing postgraduate programmes at various universities, say the prolonged delay in settling their financial obligations has placed them under significant pressure from their institutions.

They explained that without timely payment of their tuition and associated costs, universities may be forced to enforce strict academic and immigration regulations, which could ultimately lead to their removal from school and possible deportation.

Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament on Monday, March 16, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, described the situation as deeply worrying and called for urgent intervention from the government to prevent further distress among the affected students.

“Students on scholarship at Birmingham University in the UK have not had their fees paid. The immigration authorities in the UK are threatening to deport them. They have been given one week to come back home.

“We want to plead with you that if you can draw the attention of the Scholarship Secretariat to remit their fees because, Mr. Speaker, the UK government has some strict procedure and the students have been crying and they sent a petition to us.”

He further pointed out that such situations could tarnish the country’s international reputation if not addressed promptly, especially when Ghanaian students are enrolled in prestigious institutions abroad under government sponsorship.