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.

Welcome to our rolling news summary from Ghana. These stories reflect the nation’s landscape. Check back for more news updates as the day progresses and new information becomes available.

Ghanaian PhD Students in UK Begin Mass Withdrawals Over Unpaid Scholarships

Ghanaian PhD students in the UK are withdrawing from programs due to unpaid tuition and stipends for nearly two years, facing debt, evictions, and visa curtailments. The PhD Cohort-UK plans demonstrations at the Ghana High Commission in London and has petitioned UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for intervention. A student stated: “Our situation has reached a breaking point… 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.”

Prempeh College Students Caught in Violent Fistfight During School Competition

Prempeh College students engaged in a violent fistfight with Cadet Corps members during the 2026 Ashanti Regional Senior High Schools Boys’ Soccer Festival at Baba Yara Sports Stadium, as captured in a video shared on January 16, 2026, by SikaOfficial on and republished GhanaWeb. The incident has sparked public outrage over rising student indiscipline, with calls for arrests as a deterrent.

Ghana Navy Foils Illegal Fuel Bunkering Along Keta-Aflao Coast

The Ghana Navy conducted two raids dismantling illegal fuel bunkering operations in Volta Region, seizing 162 fuel-filled 25-litre gallons and 32 200-litre barrels on January 13, 2026, and intercepting seven modified canoes with 378 empty barrels on January 15, 2026. Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin reaffirmed commitment to maritime security, urging public cooperation to protect national security, marine biodiversity, and the blue economy.

Minister Calls for Inter-Ministerial Force to Fix Accra’s Rush-Hour Transit Crises

Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs Ahmed Ibrahim urged an inter-ministerial alliance with the Ministry of Roads to repair Accra’s intra-roads during a January 16, 2026, stakeholder meeting hosted by the Ministry of Transport. He warned private operators of government intervention if roads remain unmotorable, citing a €1 million grant for Ayalolo bus revival, and stated: “We need to bring my brother, the Road Minister, in so that the intra-roads that are not motorable are fixed.”

Ex-Manager Case: Black Sherif’s Contract Breach Deemed ‘Technical’ as Court Awards GH¢50k Instead of GH¢1.1m Demand

The High Court in Accra ruled Black Sherif’s contract breach with former manager Shadrach Owusu Agyei ‘technical’, awarding GH¢50k in nominal damages and GH¢15k in costs against the plaintiff, dismissing most claims due to lack of evidence, according to MyJoyOnline. Justice Afia Adu-Amankwa noted no proven substantial loss from the breach.

Esther Smith Refutes Claims Pastor Elvis Agyemang Charged for Prayers

Esther Smith’s management denied social media allegations that Pastor Elvis Agyemang of Alpha Hour charged for prayers, calling them false and explaining that no money was requested. They urged verification of facts and praised the pastor’s integrity: “At no point was any amount requested, demanded, or charged for prayers.”

Antoine Semenyo’s £65m Manchester City Switch Sparks Discussions in UK Parliament

Antoine Semenyo’s £65m transfer from AFC Bournemouth to Manchester City sparked UK Parliament discussions on January 15, 2026, with Labour MP Tom Hayes praising his farewell ad in the Bournemouth Echo, linking it to advocacy for raising social media age limits. Hayes called Semenyo “a superstar on the pitch and a gentleman off it.”

Ghana Eager to Change the Narrative at 2026 World Cup

After missing the 2025 AFCON, Ghana’s Black Stars qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, drawn in Group L with Croatia, England, and Panama. Coach Otto Addo aims for redemption with key players like Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, and Thomas Partey.

GRA Launches AI-Powered System to Boost Revenue and Curb Customs Fraud

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) launched Publican AI on January 16, 2026, to enhance revenue and curb customs fraud using real-time analytics. Deputy Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem stated:

“The AI tool will help us achieve accurate duty determination,” while Commissioner-General Dr Anthony Sarpong added: “The Publican AI system will give us 100% coverage of assessment.”

Ken Ofori-Atta to Face Deportation – AG Discloses

Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine disclosed that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta faces high deportation risk from the US, with a January 20, 2026, immigration hearing. Ayine stated:

“The possibility is very high and he could either self-deport or face deportation by the immigration judge.”

Check back for more news updates as the day progresses and new information becomes available.

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.