Omanghana
The Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA) has rejected reports that the University of Memphis has terminated its scholarship partnership with Ghana, insisting that the agreement remains valid and legally binding until 2028.
The Acting Executive Director and Director-General of the Authority, Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei, issued the clarification following reports that nearly 100 Ghanaian students risked academic disruption because of approximately $4 million in outstanding tuition payments.
According to the GSA, the five-year partnership was signed in April 2023 and is expected to remain in force until 2028.
The Authority explained that the agreement contains a termination clause requiring either party seeking to withdraw from the partnership to provide 90 days’ written notice.
Asafo-Agyei said the GSA had received neither formal nor informal communication from the University of Memphis indicating its intention to terminate the arrangement.
He therefore described claims that the institution had ended its partnership with Ghana as inaccurate.
The Authority also confirmed that the Ministry of Finance released $500,000 to the University of Memphis on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, as part-payment of the outstanding legacy debt.
Although the payment does not fully settle the reported arrears, the GSA said it demonstrates the government’s commitment to resolving the financial obligations and protecting the academic interests of affected students.
As part of efforts to find a lasting solution, Asafo-Agyei travelled to the United States to hold direct discussions with the leadership of the University of Memphis.
The talks are expected to produce a sustainable repayment plan for the remaining debt and prevent Ghanaian students from facing difficulties with course registration or continuing their academic programs.
The GSA said it is also working closely with the Ministry of Finance to secure the remaining budgetary releases required to clear the outstanding tuition obligations.
The Authority assured students and their families that the scholarship partnership remains active and that engagements are ongoing to prevent further disruption to their studies.
It maintained that any decision concerning the future of the agreement would have to follow the termination procedures outlined in the contract, including the required 90-day written notice.
Source: Omanghana
