By: Deborah Amewoyi
A Member of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) communication team, Wonder Madilo has expressed worry over the current financial situation of Ghanaian students studying in different parts of the world under the Ghanaian Scholarship Secretariat.
In context, Ghanaian students in the diaspora have promised to stage a peaceful protest come June, 4 to demand for the payment of the 14 months monthly stipends owed them by the Government.
Significantly, the NDC Communications member describes the current situation as dire and frightening. “Fourteen months without stipends and allowances is scary.” he said on Channel One TV this morning.
However, Mr. Madilo is calling on his government to speed up procedures to ensure that students are disbursed promptly. “I believe the NDC government can do something about that as quickly as possible, but going forward, some reforms should be done in that regard.” he said.
He added that the continuous delay in the payment of stipends for fourteen consecutive months poses notable threats to the academics of Ghanaian students abroad.
This call comes at the back of an announcement made by the Coalition of Ghanaian Scholars Abroad on a planned protest due to the prolonged payment of monthly stipends.
Considering the perceived chaotic nature of demonstrations, these Ghanaian scholarly representatives from Asia, North America and Europe have put accross that the protest is a peaceful one.
The Coalition added that this move is in a bid to raise awareness about their current situation and the plight they face. “This protest is not a political move. It is a desperate cry for survival. Many of us are stranded, unable to pay rent, buy food, or access healthcare. We feel forgotten by the country we are representing” it cried.
