Ghanaian Students at University of Memphis Face Eviction Over Unpaid Fees, Appeal for Urgent Intervention
The academic future of nearly 200 Ghanaian students at the University of Memphis hangs precariously in the balance as they face imminent eviction and academic dismissal due to the Ghanaian government’s failure to settle outstanding tuition and housing fees. A staggering $3.6 million is reportedly owed to the university, placing the students in a dire and uncertain predicament.
A total of 181 Ghanaian students, all beneficiaries of a Ghana government scholarship scheme, have been issued an ultimatum by the University of Memphis: vacate their rooms by August 9, 2025, and face de-registration for the upcoming Fall 2025 semester if the outstanding debt is not cleared.
Fred Awuku Budu Opoku-Asamoah, the leader of the Ghanaian student community at the university, voiced profound frustration and distress over the development. In a recent interview, he revealed that the university’s management, through a circular dated July 14, 2025, confirmed the eviction notice and the dropping of their fall registrations due to non-payment.
“The current state of affairs of 181 Ghanaian students at the University of Memphis is nothing to write home about,” Opoku-Asamoah stated, emphasizing the significant strain this has placed on their academic activities. He highlighted the particularly heartbreaking situation for students who are just one semester away from completing their studies and graduating in December 2025.
The crisis stems from a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Memphis and the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat (GSS), intended to cover tuition, housing, and other living expenses for these students. However, according to reports, only a fraction of the total debt – a mere $400,000 – had been paid by early July, leaving a substantial $3.2 million outstanding.
University of Memphis President, Dr. Bill Hardgrave, confirmed the dire situation, noting that the delay in payment might be linked to political changes in Ghana following the December 2024 general election. Despite the university’s desire to retain the students, they are left with no choice but to enforce the payment deadline.
The affected students have made passionate appeals to the Ghanaian government, including President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, to intervene urgently. Opoku-Asamoah lamented that previous attempts to reach out to the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat and other authorities have proven futile, with no positive response or assistance.
The Minority in Parliament has also weighed in, issuing an urgent plea for immediate government intervention, highlighting the broader implications of such financial neglect on Ghana’s reputation and the academic prospects of its youth. The situation not only jeopardizes the students’ education and careers but also carries the risk of visa revocations and potential deportation.
As the August 9 deadline looms, the fate of these 181 Ghanaian scholars remains uncertain. The coming days will be critical as they await a decisive intervention from the Ghanaian government to avert a full-blown academic and humanitarian crisis.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
