A PhD Environmental Chemistry student under the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, Peter Worlasi Adanu, has called on the government of Ghana to pay Ghanaian students studying abroad their accrued stipend.
He says the delay in the release of the funds is stifling their academic performance and rendered them beggars in foreign lands.
In a statement written by Mr. Adanu to express his dissatisfaction with government and the Scholarship Secretariat, he reemphasised that “if immediate actions are not taken to resolve the financial burden on us, we may end up chasing the wind because students from various institutions across the country in Hungary are facing unprecedented challenges due to the prolonged delay in stipend payments.”
He explains many Ghanaian students in Hungary have been thrown out of their rooms due to their inability to pay their rents, together with the financial uncertainty giving many of them “severe mental health issues, including stress, depression, anxiety, etc.”
He is therefore calling on the government to take immediate steps to address the challenge to give them the peace of mind needed to study in order to serve mother Ghana afterwards.
Find below his full statement issued to the government:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ARE WE BEING NEGLECTED? GOVERNMENT OF GHANA MUST ADDRESS STIPEND PAYMENT DELAYS
Budapest, Hungary – 01-05-2024
I write in my capacity as a student under the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship to highlight the challenges we are facing due to lack of payment of stipends and call on the government of Ghana to show faith as a “Good Parent”.
First of all, it is an indisputable fact that we are among the few lucky Ghanaians to be offered the opportunity to advance our studies abroad. We therefore express our profound gratitude and appreciation to both governments (Hungary and Ghana) and the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat for the honour done us.
However, beyond the opportunity and the privilege to study abroad cometh huge responsibilities on us as students.
As students representing our Motherland Ghana, among the many responsibilities, it is mandatorily required of us to maintain high academic standards, upholding Ghana’s reputation for academic excellence.
It is also expected of us to contribute to research and innovation, advancing Ghana’s scientific and technological interests for technological growth. Are we able to do this under the current hardship?
Students are equally considered to serve as cultural ambassadors advancing Ghana’s culture, values, and traditions, promoting cross-cultural understanding and exchange among other nationals.
How is it possible to fulfill such a mandate when the majority of us are thrown out of our rooms due to a lack of payment of rent?
We were made to understand that we are NATIONAL PRIDES and UNCOMPROMISED ASSETS therefore we need to demonstrate Ghana’s pride, heritage, achievements, and values at all times. We are equally enjoined to showcase Ghana’s positive image globally, commit ourselves to studies, enhance our skills, and after completion, return to our lovely country and contribute to its development and growth.
All these and many are the responsibilities which students are committed in fulfilling but then, if immediate actions are not taken to resolve the financial burden on us, we may end up chasing the wind because students from various institutions across the country in Hungary are facing unprecedented challenges due to the prolonged delay in stipend payments.
The lack of stipend payments has resulted in several cataclysms, including:
a. Increased financial burdens, forcing students to take on additional loans, rendering most students beggars in a foreign country that pose severe threats to our academic performance,
b. Inability to cover basic needs, including accommodation, food, and transportation,
c. Most importantly, most Ghanaian students are going through severe mental health issues, including stress, depression anxiety etc. due to financial uncertainty.
I humbly urge the authorities to expedite action and request for:
a. Immediate disbursement of pending stipends,
b. A clear timeline for future payments,
c. A comprehensive review of the stipend payment system to prevent such delays in the future.
By fulfilling the above responsibilities, Ghanaian students will continue to be worthy representative of Ghana, and we will continue to foster international understanding, cooperation, and national pride.
Thank you
Peter Worlasi Adanu
PhD – Environmental Chemistry
ELTE UNIVERSITY
+36705963871
