Ghana Establishes Student Support Desks in 11 Diplomatic Missions to Cater to Students Abroad

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In an effort to cater to Ghanaian students abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established student support desks in 11 Ghanaian diplomatic missions. Announced on February 17, 2025, via a Facebook post by Foreign Affairs Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa, the project aims to expand to all Ghanaian diplomatic offices worldwide in due course.

Enhancing Support for Ghanaian Students Abroad

These new student desks will aid students with a range of issues, such as tuition fees, immigration, medical issues, academic verification, accommodation, evacuations, and legal assistance. The diplomatic missions chosen for this project are those in cities where Ghanaian students are in high concentration, such as Abidjan, Beijing, Belgrade, Cotonou, Havana, Lomé, London, Moscow, Rabat, Rome, and Ottawa.

Strategic Implementation Without Additional Expenses

As per the Foreign Affairs Ministry, these places were chosen on the basis of statistics showing large student numbers. The ministry also indicated that the project would be run within the current consular network using the present staff without new recruitment or added government expenditure.

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

In the interests of effectiveness and efficiency, there will be monthly reports from the consular officials that oversee the student desks. The reports will be analyzed by the Consular and Humanitarian Affairs Bureau, which will also provide feedback to the Foreign Minister. This orderly process is expected to ensure continual improvement in managing student problems.

Addressing Long-Standing Complaints

Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa explained that the program responds to regular appeals from Ghanaian students abroad, particularly government-sponsored students who have suffered delays and difficulty in receiving timely assistance from diplomatic missions.

“The Mahama administration is resolved to bring an end to the misery of Ghanaian students overseas, especially those on government scholarship, who feel abandoned when they need urgent help for tuition, immigration, medical emergencies, academic verification, accommodation, evacuations, and legal support,” Minister Ablakwa stated.

Commitment to Institutional Reforms

The Foreign Ministry has reassured stakeholders, citizens, and students that it is resolved to seek institutional reforms for the consolidation of consular services and the overall welfare of Ghanaian students abroad. Minister Ablakwa reiterated the government’s resolve to ensure students are given the timely and efficient assistance they need.