Ghanaian students on government scholarships in Russia are demanding the payment of 14 months of unpaid stipends, saying the prolonged delay has left many struggling to meet basic living and academic expenses.
President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) in Russia, Jibril Kojo Nkum, said affected students were accumulating debts as the cost of living and mandatory fees in the country continued to rise.
“Our problem here is all about our money, which has not been paid for 14 months. The government has to tackle it,” Mr Nkum said in an interview on Eyewitness News on Monday, August 17, 2026.
According to him, about 200 Ghanaian students in Russia are currently beneficiaries of government scholarships administered by the Ghana Scholarship Authority, while the broader Ghanaian student population in the country is estimated at about 3,000.
Mr Nkum, who is also a scholarship beneficiary, said the payment delays had made it increasingly difficult for students to settle accommodation, insurance, medical and other mandatory fees.
He cited insurance fees at his institution as an example, saying the cost had increased from approximately 17,800 Russian rubles to 25,000 rubles, while other charges had also risen significantly.
The situation is particularly concerning for final-year students whose visas are nearing expiry. Mr Nkum said some students were unable to complete clearance processes and legalise their academic documents because of outstanding fees.
“If you don’t clear yourself, you don’t get your certificate,” he said, warning that students could risk becoming illegal residents if they were unable to renew their visas.
He added that government scholarship beneficiaries were not permitted to work to supplement their income, leaving many dependent on loans and assistance from others.
“We survive by grace and hunger,” he said.
Mr Nkum said the students had petitioned the scholarship authorities through the Ghanaian Embassy in Russia regarding the unpaid stipends. They were reportedly informed that delays in funding from the Ministry of Finance, together with inadequate budgetary allocations, were contributing to the situation.
He further raised concerns about the proposed stipend levels, saying the $300 monthly allowance for undergraduate students was inadequate, while postgraduate students are expected to receive $500 per month.
He appealed to the government, particularly the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Scholarship Authority, to urgently release the outstanding payments and review the stipend amounts to reflect the rising cost of living.
“We have bills that we have to pay. We are owing, and we also have bills ahead of us,” he said.
Source: citinews
