A growing crisis is unfolding for Ghanaian PhD students studying in the United Kingdom, as many have started formally withdrawing from their doctoral programs due to the Ghanaian government’s failure to pay outstanding tuition fees and living stipends for nearly two years.

The students, represented by the Executive Body of the PhD Cohort-UK, have voiced deep frustration over the prolonged delays from the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat.

These delays have left scholars grappling with mounting debts, eviction notices, and restricted access to university resources, severely impacting their academic progress and personal well-being.

In a bid to draw attention to their plight, the PhD Cohort-UK has announced a series of demonstrations across major UK cities and at the Ghana High Commission in London. The two-day nationwide protest is set to commence shortly, aiming to compel Ghanaian authorities to fulfill their financial commitments.

“Our situation has reached a breaking point,” said one student, speaking anonymously to avoid repercussions. “I am in my final year of research. My university has blocked my library access and my portal. If the fees aren’t paid by the end of this month, my Tier 4 visa will be curtailed, and I will be deported with nothing but debt.”

Despite multiple petitions to the Office of the President at Jubilee House and the Ministry of Finance, the payments remain unsettled. In previous years, UK universities accepted “letters of comfort” from the Secretariat as assurance of future payment. However, many institutions are now demanding immediate settlement due to their own budgetary constraints, with some threatening to terminate student visas if obligations are not met.

The affected scholars have also turned to international support, petitioning UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for humanitarian intervention. The petition states that the students’ legal and financial difficulties arise from a sovereign funding default, not from any shortcomings in their academic performance or conduct.

This situation reflects broader challenges in Ghana’s scholarship programs, raising questions about the government’s commitment to supporting higher education abroad and the long-term impact on the country’s human capital development.

As the protests loom, the PhD Cohort-UK continues to call for urgent action from Ghanaian officials to resolve the crisis and prevent further academic and personal hardships.

Ghana has emerged as the 8th highest-ranking country worldwide in the proportion of its students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) opportunities in the United States for the 2024/25 academic year, according to a new report by ApplyBoard Insights.

The analysis, which examines international student enrollment trends and field preferences, shows that 53.7% of Ghanaian students in the U.S. focused on STEM programs — a +1 percentage point increase from the previous year.

This positions Ghana ahead of major players like China (53.4%) and Taiwan (52.1%), and reflects the growing appeal of STEM fields for African talent amid projected U.S. job growth in these sectors.

The report highlights that over 70% of students from top-ranked countries like India, Bangladesh, Iran, and Nepal pursued STEM, with Ghana’s performance underscoring Africa’s rising presence in high-demand fields. Nigeria ranked 5th at 61.9%, while Saudi Arabia and Pakistan followed closely.

Overall, the data points to a continued dominance of Asian countries, but with notable gains from African nations.

This trend aligns with broader U.S. enrollment patterns, where new international student numbers declined by 7% to about 277,000 in 2024/25, driven by drops at graduate levels. However, participation in Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows graduates to work in their field, continued to grow, particularly in STEM, where extensions offer up to three years of post-study employment.

For Ghana, the findings signal strong interest in STEM among its youth, potentially boosting diaspora remittances, skills transfer, and innovation upon return. With U.S. STEM occupations projected to grow 8% by 2034 and offering median wages of US$104,000 — more than double non-STEM roles — this focus could position Ghanaian graduates for global competitiveness.

The report comes amid discussions on U.S. immigration policies affecting international students, including visa pauses, but emphasizes the enduring value of STEM education for career pathways.

The global African diaspora is mourning the death of Peninah “Penny” Muiruri, a Kenyan community health nurse who was found dead in her home in Horsham, Sussex, United Kingdom, under circumstances that remain unclear.

Muiruri, who lived and worked in the UK’s healthcare sector, was discovered after relatives and friends raised concerns when she suddenly stopped responding to calls and messages. According to those close to her, she had been in regular contact before communication abruptly ceased.

Following days of silence, her family in Kenya requested a welfare check through UK authorities. Sussex Police later accessed her residence and confirmed that she had been found dead inside the house.

Police Investigation Underway

UK police have confirmed that the case is under active investigation, with a postmortem examination scheduled to establish the cause of death.

Authorities have not released further details and have not confirmed whether foul play is suspected.

As of publication, no official cause of death has been made public.

Family and Diaspora Raise Alarm

Members of the Kenyan diaspora say Muiruri had no immediate family living with her in the UK and was believed to be living alone. Her sudden silence prompted deep concern among relatives in Kenya, who moved quickly to alert authorities.

A family representative noted that her body remains in the UK as arrangements are made to formally identify and claim her, while discussions continue around repatriation for burial.

Remembering Peninah Muiruri

Friends and colleagues describe Muiruri as kind, dedicated, and deeply committed to caring for others. Trained in Kenya before relocating to the UK, she joined thousands of African healthcare professionals who migrate abroad in search of better opportunities while filling critical labour gaps in Western health systems.

Her death has sparked renewed conversation within African diaspora communities about isolation, mental wellbeing, and the vulnerabilities faced by migrants living alone overseas.

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Appeal for Information and Support

The family is appealing to:

• Kenyans and Africans in the UK who may have known Peninah,
• Anyone who had contact with her in recent weeks,
• Well-wishers willing to assist with information, emotional support, or funeral and repatriation arrangements.

As investigations continue, family members and the wider diaspora say they are hoping for clarity, accountability, and dignity as they prepare to lay her to rest.