A coalition of local executives of the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana across various tertiary institutions in Ghana has expressed concern over the delay in the payment of bursaries for graduate students for the 2023/2024 academic year.

In a press statement dated May 11, 2026, the coalition said graduate students across the country have faced severe financial hardship for several months due to the failure of the relevant authorities to disburse approved bursary funds.

According to the statement, the bursaries are intended to support graduate students in conducting research, purchasing academic materials, facilitating fieldwork activities, and sustaining their educational pursuits.

The coalition stated that institutional GRASAG leadership and affected students had exercised patience while engaging the appropriate authorities through diplomatic channels. It noted that numerous complaints from graduate students had been communicated to the GRASAG National Secretariat and other stakeholders regarding the delay.

The statement said engagements had taken place between GRASAG National, the Ghana Scholarship Authority, and the designated banking institution responsible for the disbursement of the bursaries. According to the coalition, assurances were given that payments would be made between May 5 and May 8, 2026, after all required student data had reportedly been submitted about five and a half weeks earlier.

However, the coalition said beneficiaries across various institutions are yet to receive their bursary payments.

It said the delay has created anxiety, frustration, and uncertainty among graduate students who depend on the funds for their academic and research activities. The coalition also noted that the delay has affected the opening of the bursary application portal for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic years.

The coalition further stated that graduate students continue to contribute to national research, innovation, policy development, and academic advancement despite the delays in accessing financial support.

The group called on the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Scholarship Authority, and the designated banking institution responsible for the disbursement of the GRASAG bursary to expedite all administrative and financial processes necessary to ensure prompt payment of the outstanding bursaries.

The coalition stated that if payments are not made by the close of day on Friday, May 15, 2026, it will take what it described as “necessary and legitimate actions” to address the concerns and welfare of graduate students.

According to the statement, the planned actions will include media engagements to inform the public about what the coalition described as the neglect of graduate students by the Asafo-Agyei-led Ghana Scholarship Authority administration, picketing at the Jubilee House until the bursaries are released, demonstrations, and the presentation of petitions to the Office of the President, the Office of the Speaker of Parliament, the Office of the National Chief Imam, the Christian Council, the diplomatic community, and other stakeholders.

The coalition said additional activities and actions would be carried out throughout the year until the bursaries owed graduate students are paid.

The statement was signed by GRASAG presidents from the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Cape Coast, University of Education, Winneba, University for Development Studies, Takoradi Technical University, and Ghana Communication Technology University.