Ghanaian Scholarship Students in UK Allege Assault by High Commission Officials Over Unpaid Funds

Six Ghanaian government-sponsored master’s students studying at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom have accused officials at the Ghana High Commission in London of verbal abuse and physical assault during a protest over unpaid scholarship funds.

The students staged a peaceful demonstration outside the High Commission on Monday after allegedly going more than 18 months without receiving tuition payments and living stipends promised under their government scholarship programme.

According to the students, the Government of Ghana owes them a combined total of £238,852 in unpaid tuition fees and stipends. They claim the delays have left them unable to complete graduation requirements despite successfully finishing their academic programmes.

Speaking to Citi News, the group’s convener, Noah Krah, alleged that one of the students was assaulted and unlawfully detained after attempting to record what he described as verbal abuse by senior officials at the High Commission.

Krah said the students initially protested peacefully outside the mission but became frustrated after several hours without any engagement from officials.

“In four hours, not a single official of the Ghana High Commission came outside to speak with us. There was no acknowledgement, no engagement, and no response of any kind through any formal channel,” he said.

According to him, two students later entered the High Commission premises and followed the required protocols before being directed to a waiting room.

Krah alleged that Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sabah Zita Benson, and an official identified as Bridget Bonney subsequently confronted the students.

He claimed the officials verbally abused the students and questioned their entitlement to government support.

“They started verbally abusing my colleagues, calling them names and describing them as undeserving of taxpayers’ money,” he alleged.

The most serious allegation involves a student identified as Abena Fosuah, who reportedly attempted to record the interaction on her mobile phone.

Krah claimed that officials forcefully took the device and deleted recordings, including academic interview materials stored on the phone.

“My colleague, Abena Fosuah, decided to record the incident. Bridget Bonney and other individuals whose identities we have yet to establish allegedly forced her to surrender her phone and delete all recordings, including interviews she had conducted for her academic work,” he stated.

The students further allege that Fosuah sustained injuries during the incident and later sought medical treatment.

According to Krah, hospital examinations confirmed that she suffered soft tissue injuries that may take up to two weeks to heal.

Medical personnel reportedly prescribed treatment and advised her to report the matter to the police, Citizens Advice, and the Ombudsman.

He added that medical staff conducted X-ray examinations and recommended mental health support after the student reported experiencing trauma following the incident.

The students have formally lodged a complaint with the Head of Education and Recruitment at the Ghana High Commission. However, Krah said they have yet to receive a response.

“I sent an update regarding the protest and the resulting assault allegations to the Head of Education and Recruitment at the Ghana High Commission. As of now, there has been no response,” he said.

The group is demanding an independent investigation into the alleged incident, immediate payment of all outstanding scholarship funds, and a formal apology from those involved.

They have also indicated that the affected student is considering legal action and may pursue criminal charges if the matter is not addressed.

The allegations have sparked concern among Ghanaian students abroad and raised questions about the administration of government-sponsored scholarship programmes.

At the time of publication, the Ghana High Commission in London had not publicly responded to the allegations.

Source: Citi News