Ghanaian students who are currently studying in the United Kingdom have claimed that officials from the Ghanaian High Commission were involved in assaulting them during a protest. The students have come forward with their allegations, stating that the incident occurred while they were demonstrating, and they have expressed their concerns about the behavior of the officials during the event.
These claims have sparked discussions and raised questions about the conduct of the officials and the support provided to students in the UK.
Six Ghanaian students who are studying for their master’s degrees at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom have claimed that officials from the Ghana High Commission in London treated one of their colleague badly during a protest. These students are sponsored by the Ghanaian government, and they are currently in the UK to pursue their studies. The incident reportedly took place on Monday when the students gathered peacefully outside the Ghana High Commission building to express their frustration over not receiving the money they were promised for their tuition fees and living expenses.
The students said they have not been paid for more than 18 months, and because of this, they have not been able to graduate even though they have completed all their academic courses. They are owed a total of £238,852 because of unpaid tuition fees and living stipends, which they claim they are entitled to.
During a conversation on Accra-based Citi FM, the leader of the group, Noah Krah, voiced his disappointment with how the officials from the Ghana High Commission handled the situation. He said that for four hours, no official came out to talk to them. There was no response, no acknowledgment, and no formal communication from the embassy.
According to Mr. Krah, the situation worsened when two of the students decided to enter the premises of the High Commission in an attempt to get answers. Once inside, the officials started verbally abusing the students, using harsh language such as “kwasiafo,” which translates to “useless people.” One official, named Bridget Bonney, reportedly said that the students do not deserve the money provided by the taxpayers.
The tension escalated further when one student named Abena Fosuah tried to record the incident on her phone.
As a result, she and her colleagues were confronted by Bridget Bonney and others, whose identities are still unknown. They physically took her phone from her and erased all the recordings, including important interviews she had conducted for her academic work.
Mr. Krah also mentioned that he had formally submitted a report about the protest and the subsequent incident to the Head of Education and Recruitment at the Ghana High Commission. However, as of now, he has not received any response from them.
The students have called for an investigation into the alleged incident, immediate payment of the full amount of the unpaid scholarship funds, and a formal apology from the individuals involved.
Mr. Krah explained that a medical professional examined the student who was affected and confirmed that she suffered from soft tissue injuries. The injuries, he said, could take up to two weeks to recover from. The student was given medication and was advised to report the matter to the Police, Citizens Advice, and the Ombudsman.
In addition to the physical injuries, the student has also been offered mental health support because she is still emotionally affected by the incident. As of now, the Ghana High Commission has not made any public statement regarding the allegations.
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