About 200 Ghanaian students studying in Russia under government scholarships say they are facing severe financial hardship after going 14 months without receiving their stipends, leaving many struggling to afford food, accommodation and mandatory immigration-related expenses.
The students, who are beneficiaries of government scholarships, say repeated appeals for intervention have yet to resolve the situation as the new academic year approaches.
NUGS Russia Engages Ghana Embassy
In an effort to secure urgent assistance, the leadership of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Russia, engaged the Ghana Embassy in Moscow in June 2026 over the prolonged non-payment of students’ stipends.
According to the students, they were subsequently informed that the Embassy had received funds from the Ghana Scholarship Authority (GSA).
However, they say the proposed payment would amount to a flat $300 per student, irrespective of whether the beneficiary is an undergraduate or postgraduate student.
The students have strongly objected to the proposed arrangement, describing it as inadequate given the length of the outstanding payment period.
Students Question Proposed $300 Payment
The students say the proposed $300 payment does not reflect the different stipend levels applicable to undergraduate and postgraduate beneficiaries.
According to their account, undergraduate students are entitled to $300 per month, while postgraduate students receive $500 per month.
After 14 months without payment, students argue that a single $300 payment would leave the vast majority of the outstanding obligation unresolved.
For students who have accumulated debts while waiting for their stipends, the situation has become increasingly difficult.
New Academic Year Raises Fresh Concerns
The situation has become more urgent with the new academic year scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Some students are reportedly facing the possibility of being evicted from dormitories because of unpaid accommodation-related obligations.
Others are struggling to pay their visa renewal fees, which the students say have recently increased across Russia.
Failure to meet those mandatory immigration requirements could expose affected students to serious difficulties, including the risk of deportation.
Students Say They Are Trapped
In a recent media interview, NUGS Russia President Jibril Kojo Nkum made an urgent appeal for government intervention, highlighting the financial difficulties confronting the affected students.
According to the students, many have accumulated debts after borrowing money from friends and others to survive while waiting for their government support.
Those who borrowed money are now facing pressure from creditors to repay.
The students also say their circumstances are particularly difficult because, under the rules applicable to them in Russia, scholarship beneficiaries are barred from taking up employment to generate additional income.
This has left many dependent almost entirely on the stipends they are yet to receive.
Food and Basic Needs Becoming Difficult
Beyond accommodation and immigration requirements, the prolonged delay has reportedly affected students’ ability to meet basic daily needs.
Students say rising living costs have made their financial situation increasingly unsustainable, with some struggling to afford food and other essentials.
The combination of unpaid stipends, accumulated debts, accommodation pressures and mandatory fees has created what the students describe as an increasingly desperate situation.
Students Renew Appeal to Government
The affected Ghanaian students are therefore renewing their appeal to the government to urgently facilitate payment of their outstanding stipends.
They say the matter requires immediate attention because the start of the new academic year could worsen the situation for students who are already struggling to survive.
The students have warned that if the outstanding stipends are not paid, some could be forced to sleep outside after losing access to accommodation.
With September 1 fast approaching, the students are calling for an urgent resolution to the 14-month payment backlog and meaningful financial support to enable them to continue their studies without further disruption.
