Government Grapples with GH¢700m Scholarship Debt Crisis, Minister Calls Situation “A Bad, Bad Mess”

Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment George Opare Addo has disclosed that the government is confronting a crippling GH¢700 million scholarship debt inherited from the previous administration—a financial quagmire he says is threatening Ghanaian students abroad and tarnishing the country’s reputation globally.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, the minister described the situation as a “bad, bad, bad mess,” revealing that the entire debt stems from the Scholarship Secretariat, which has left thousands of students stranded, many at risk of eviction, and diplomatic relations with foreign institutions strained.

“The current bill that I have is over GH¢700 million in debt that we have to find money to pay,” Mr. Opare Addo stated. “There is a debt of fees we owe across the world.”

According to the minister, the government has been under immense pressure, receiving frequent threats from foreign universities threatening to expel Ghanaian scholarship students over unpaid tuition and stipends.

“Almost every time, our registrar is out there negotiating—pleading for time and working out what we can afford to pay,” he added.

While acknowledging the government lacks immediate funds to clear the entire debt, Mr. Opare Addo stressed that paying off the arrears is non-negotiable, given the impact on Ghanaian lives and the nation’s image.

“It involves Ghanaian students; it involves lives. And so we must find the money to pay,” he insisted.

He noted that the Chief of Staff and the Finance Minister are actively involved in efforts to resolve the crisis. Negotiations with partner institutions have already begun, with some showing understanding due to the recent change in administration.

“They know we inherited these problems. So we are aligning and fixing them gradually,” the minister said.

The Ministry has initiated an audit to determine the full extent of the liabilities, amid reports that some beneficiaries have completed their studies yet continue to demand stipends.

“Somebody might have finished school for two years, and the government still owes stipends,” he explained. “But per the law, once you finish, you must come back home.”

He added that the government is now firming up its stance: those who choose to remain abroad after completing their programs will not be entitled to any further payments.

“If I pay your fees, you must come back and help. If you want to stay there, I won’t pay your stipends—school is done.”

This revelation comes days after the minister announced plans to reform Ghana’s scholarship regime through a new bill before Parliament. The legislation seeks to standardise eligibility criteria, eliminate political bias, and centralise funding from agencies like GNPC and GETFund under one transparent authority.

“We inherited chaos—there was no proper law, no uniform system. It was like selling tomatoes in the market,” he said earlier.

As the government races to contain the crisis and restore credibility to the country’s scholarship framework, Opare Addo urged patience and understanding, assuring that steps are being taken to repair the system and prevent future misuse.

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