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Ghanaian students in Serbia lament about delayed stipends

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Abdul Salam Mohammed, a Ghanaian student in Serbia, stated, "We arrived in May [2023] and haven't gotten our stipends since last year, so it's been over 11 months. Despite our continual contact with the Secretariat, nothing has been done to address the issue, which has been a difficulty for us. Many of us are adjusting by taking on various menial occupations, which is having an impact on our academic performance.

Some Ghanaian students studying in Serbia claim they are experiencing substantial hardship as a result of delayed stipends from the Scholarship Secretariat.

These stipends, intended to assist academic activities, have been static for almost a year, hurting their education and mental health as they negotiate life in a strange nation.

Citi News’ interviews with some students indicated that their livelihoods are mainly reliant on debt or low-wage employment.

Abdul Salam Mohammed, a Ghanaian student in Serbia, stated, “We arrived in May [2023] and haven’t gotten our stipends since last year, so it’s been over 11 months. Despite our continual contact with the Secretariat, nothing has been done to address the issue, which has been a difficulty for us. Many of us are adjusting by taking on various menial occupations, which is having an impact on our academic performance.

Another student, who requested anonymity, remarked, “I arrived in Serbia last year, and the primary issue here is money. We struggle to meet many of our demands here, which has an impact on our studies, which is the primary reason we are in this nation. We borrow money from our countrymen and those from other African nations to feed themselves. Even getting to the main campus for lectures requires taking the bus, and if we don’t have the money, how will we learn?”

These discussions about scholarships have heated up following an investigative report by The Fourth Estate, which revealed instances of influential individuals and associates of powerful figures receiving scholarships, deviating from the Scholarship Secretariat’s intended purpose of assisting academically gifted but financially needy students, both locally and globally.

This discovery has sparked widespread indignation, particularly since some international students continue to suffer from delayed stipends, impeding their academic efforts.

Ghanaian students in Hungary have the same thoughts.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Anti Partey, Executive Secretary of the Institute for Education Studies, has termed the situation as ‘unfortunate’ and urged for a Presidential intervention to remedy the problem.

“It is a bit strange because while these huge sums of money are being given to people, others are out there complaining that monies supposed to be paid them haven’t been received. It’s a messy situation, and that’s why we think that it shouldn’t be limited to the Office of the Special Prosecutor but also the President must make an intervention, and set up a commission of enquiry and at the end of the day we can have far-reaching recommendations that would reform the scholarship secretariat.”

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Power interruptions damage our enterprises; release dumsor schedule – GUTA

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GUTA is asking answers from ECG about the true reasons of the unpredictable power outages, measures to resolve the issue, and a deadline for resolution. They also requested ECG to publish a timeframe for load-shedding so that companies may organise their activities appropriately. Because of the unpredictability of power outages, many shop owners have turned to generators, which has resulted in rising fuel costs to keep them operating during outages.

The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has joined demands for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to produce a load-shedding schedule, citing the persistent power outages that are badly impacting companies and livelihoods across the nation.

GUTA issued a statement emphasising the considerable impact of the power outages on many sectors, including agriculture, trade, and industry.

According to them, firms are struggling to meet production schedules and prepare for their personnel as a result of the irregular power supply, which raises production costs and degrades living conditions.

Traders, store owners, wholesalers, tailors, dressmakers, electricians, and other artists are also suffering business losses as a result of the “Dumsor phenomenon.”

GUTA is asking for answers from ECG about the true reasons of the unpredictable power outages, measures to resolve the issue, and a deadline for resolution.

They also requested ECG to publish a timeframe for load-shedding so that companies may organise their activities appropriately.

Because of the unpredictability of power outages, many shop owners have turned to generators, which has resulted in rising fuel costs to keep them operating during outages.

Click here to read the statement

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The Foreign Affairs Ministry cautions against travelling to Northern Mali

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"The Ministry remains committed to the safety of Ghanaians and will provide updates on the security situation in the region under reference in due course," the statement went on to say. The Foreign Affairs Ministry reminded the people to always prioritise their safety when travelling.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has advised Ghanaians not to travel to certain areas of Northern Mali.

In an official statement, the Ministry underlined recent security concerns along critical routes connecting Mali and Niger, notably in the Gao and Ansongo regions of Northern Mali.

The Ministry mentioned incidents of terrorist activity targeting travellers along these routes.

“The Ministry remains committed to the safety of Ghanaians and will provide updates on the security situation in the region under reference in due course,” the statement went on to say.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry reminded the people to always prioritise their safety when travelling.

Find the statement below:

WhatsApp Image 2024 04 26 at 19.20.01 712x1024 1 jpeg
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Gov’t settles on blue and white as new paint for basic schools

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He also announced the replacement of the brown and yellow outfits. "We are modifying the uniforms of public elementary schools across the country. The yellow and brown that you see now will go. Reformation is coming to a community near you, and you will witness it." The education minister expanded, saying that this project is part of the government's attempts to demonstrate to critics that its concentration is not exclusively on secondary education.

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, has declared that the government intends to repaint all public basic schools in blue and white, replacing the present brown and yellow.

This programme is part of a rebranding campaign to improve the appearance of the institutions.

Dr Adutwum went on to say that this is only one of several initiatives targeted at revitalising and improving basic education in the country.

“We’re moving to blue and white. We are painting all of the schools to give them an appealing appearance. This is the revolution Ghana deserves, and it is on its way,” the minister said at a “The free SHS tale” discussion in Accra on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

He also announced the replacement of the brown and yellow outfits.

“We are modifying the uniforms of public elementary schools across the country. The yellow and brown that you see now will go. Reformation is coming to a community near you, and you will witness it.”

The education minister expanded, saying that this project is part of the government’s attempts to demonstrate to critics that its concentration is not exclusively on secondary education.

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