The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced an establishment of special desks in some diplomatic missions abroad to cater for the needs of Ghanaian students studying in those countries.
In a post on his Facebook Monday, February 17, 2025, the Minister indicated that the departments are currently in 11 diplomatic missions where data from the ministry has a lot of Ghanaians studying.
He highlighted that many students studying in some of these countries, particularly those on government scholarships, find it difficult in getting their fees processed amongst other things, establishing the need for these desks to foresee the processes.
“I am delighted to announce that on my instructions, Ghana’s Foreign Ministry has established a special department in our diplomatic missions abroad to prioritize and cater for the needs of students.
“Student Desks have immediately been created in 11 countries where data confirms a high number of Ghanaian students currently studying in those countries,” portions of his statement indicated.
“Diplomatic missions where these Student Desks have been created are: Abidjan, Beijing, Belgrade, Cotonou, Havana, Lome, London, Moscow, Rabat, Rome and Ottawa,” the statement further detailed.
He assured that the initiative which does not cover additional recruitment will soon be replicated in other countries after the pilot stage.
“This initiative will soon cover all diplomatic missions following this pilot phase.
The creation of this special department would not come at an extra cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer, neither would it require additional recruitment since the initiative relies on reassigning consular staff.”
Mr. Ablakwa added further that “the embassy officials responsible for this new role are to send monthly reports to the Consular and Humanitarian Affairs Bureau for onward transmission to the Foreign Minister.”
The North Tongu Member of Parliament reiterated the Mahama government’s commitment to ending the “era where Ghanaian students studying abroad, particularly those on government scholarships are left stranded, neglected and frustrated when they need urgent assistance in areas such as fees facilitation, immigration support, medical emergencies, verification of academic records, housing and accommodation support, evacuations and legal aid.”
He also assured of more institutional reforms to follow suit at the Ministry.
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