By Prince Ahenkorah
The Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA) has urged beneficiaries of government scholarships to return to Ghana and serve the country after completing their approved programmes of study.
The Authority said every beneficiary accepted a government scholarship subject to signing a scholarship bond, which includes an undertaking to return to Ghana within two months after completing the approved programme.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Monday, August 10, 2026, and signed by the Director-General of the Ghana Scholarships Authority, Alexander Kwaku Asafo-Agyei, following concerns raised by executives of the UK PhD Cohort regarding the ongoing Oath of Affirmation and Scholarship Validation Exercise being conducted by the Authority.
The GSA said while it welcomes constructive engagement from scholarship beneficiaries, some of the assertions surrounding the exercise do not accurately reflect its legal and administrative basis.
According to the Authority, the Oath of Affirmation and Scholarship Validation Exercise is lawful and is being conducted under the Ghana Scholarships Authority Act, 2025 (Act 1149), and the Oaths Act, 1972 (NRCD 6).
The exercise is being carried out in collaboration with the Ghana High Commission in the United Kingdom, which has responsibility for consular matters in the jurisdiction.
The GSA explained that the exercise is intended to verify scholarship awards, validate and update beneficiary records, and reaffirm the commitments associated with government sponsorship.
It stressed that the exercise does not introduce any new condition or requirement to existing scholarship arrangements.
The Authority said beneficiaries were already bound by scholarship agreements requiring them to return to Ghana after completing their studies.
“The Oath of Affirmation does not introduce any additional obligation. It is a formal reaffirmation of a commitment that beneficiaries had already made under their scholarship bonds,” the Authority stated.
The Authority therefore rejected suggestions that beneficiaries were being compelled to accept a new obligation through the validation exercise.
The GSA further said it had neither altered nor varied the terms of existing scholarship bonds.
According to the Authority, the current exercise is simply intended to confirm existing obligations and ensure that beneficiary records remain accurate and up to date.
The Authority also addressed concerns surrounding Letters of ‘No Objection’ issued to some beneficiaries seeking to use the United Kingdom’s Graduate Route.
It explained that the letters were issued at the request of individual beneficiaries who wanted to undertake post-study professional experience under the applicable two-year Graduate Route visa arrangement.
The GSA said such letters did not amount to a waiver, cancellation or variation of the scholarship bond.
GSA argued that the Graduate Route provides beneficiaries with an opportunity to acquire additional professional skills and experience that could ultimately contribute to Ghana’s human capital development.
However, the Authority maintained that the obligation to return to Ghana remains in force unless it is expressly and lawfully varied or set aside by the competent authority.
The Authority also acknowledged concerns over outstanding tuition fees and stipend payments owed to some beneficiaries.
It said it is engaging the Ministry of Finance and other relevant institutions to facilitate the settlement of outstanding obligations.
The GSA assured beneficiaries that it remains committed to ensuring that legitimate payments due to them are addressed.
However, it stressed that payment challenges are separate from the ongoing scholarship validation exercise.
“A delay in the payment of tuition or stipends does not suspend the obligations contained in a scholarship bond,” the Authority stated.
The GSA said it does not consider the validation exercise adversarial and urged beneficiaries to approach it in the same spirit.
According to the Authority, government scholarships represent a significant investment in Ghana’s human capital and come with responsibilities for both the State and beneficiaries.
While the government is expected to honour its financial commitments, beneficiaries are also expected to honour the commitments they made when accepting government sponsorship.
The Authority said the validation exercise is intended to strengthen accountability, protect the integrity of the scholarship programme, maintain accurate beneficiary records and promote fairness and transparency.
The GSA has therefore urged all affected beneficiaries to honour its invitation and participate in the Oath of Affirmation and Scholarship Validation Exercise without delay.