The Ghanaian government is under growing scrutiny following reports that nearly 200 scholarship students at the University of Memphis in the United States face eviction due to unpaid tuition fees totalling $3.6 million.
185 students, as reported by Business Insider Africa, who are sponsored under a government scholarship programme, have been notified by the university to either secure alternative funding or vacate campus accommodation by August 9, 2025.
Most of the students are enrolled in science, engineering, and business courses.
The University President Dr. Bill Hardgrave confirmed the situation in an interview with Action News 5’s Better Memphis show, stating, “The students are sponsored by the government from Ghana, which has not paid the students’ tuition in some time.”
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Dr. Hardgrave suggested that Ghana’s recent change in administration following the December 2024 general elections may have disrupted budget allocations for foreign scholarship payments. “We’re hopeful that gets corrected because we’d love to keep those students on campus,” he added.
With the eviction deadline approaching fast, the students face potential academic disruption and forced return to Ghana unless immediate action is taken. Many fear losing the opportunity to complete their studies after investing years in their academic pursuits abroad.
The Ghanaian government has yet to publicly address the matter, prompting calls for urgent intervention to preserve the educational futures of these students.
Image Credit: Business Insider Africa
