The Ghana Scholarships Secretariat has paid about US$3.5 million to the University of Memphis in the United States to settle a major portion of outstanding tuition fees estimated at more than US$4 million.
According to reports, the payment was confirmed in an email sent to affected students on Tuesday, September 8.
The email further assured affected students of progress in resolving the financial dispute.
Ghana’s US$3.5 million is expected to significantly reduce the arrears and ease concerns among the affected students over their continued enrolment and academic progress.
The payment also provides some relief to the students, who were looking forward to receiving clarity on the future of the scholarship arrangement between the Ghanaian government and the University of Memphis.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Scholarships Authority (GSA), Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei, said the University of Memphis has not ended the scholarship agreement with Ghana.
According to the GSA, the University of Memphis has not formally notified it of any decision to terminate the scholarship agreement between the two institutions.
He further argued that the scholarship agreement, signed in April 2023, remains in force until 2028 unless either party formally activates the termination clause.
He disclosed that under the terms of the agreement, either party seeking to end the partnership is required to provide the other with 90 days’ prior written notice.
The development follows reports that the University of Memphis in the United States has ended its scholarship partnership with Ghana over outstanding tuition payments approaching $4 million.
According to reports, the University of Memphis’ move now puts nearly 100 Ghanaian students at the University facing uncertainty over their education.
Reports suggest affected students, who benefited from the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat programme, have been barred from enrolling for the new academic term.
The students will now have to secure alternative funding to settle their tuition obligations.
The development comes as the University of Memphis prepares to begin its fall semester.
According to the university, Ghana still owes nearly $4 million in tuition fees under the scholarship arrangement, revealing that the debt had previously stood at $3.6 million in July 2025, with Ghana making two $1 million payments in August that year before the outstanding balance later increased again.
Bill Hardgrave, the University of Memphis president, had previously linked the payment difficulties to Ghana’s change in government and the resulting impact on the country’s budget.
However, despite expectations that the situation would be resolved, the outstanding obligations have remained unsettled.
The Ghanaians student at the University could also face immigration complications if they are unable to maintain the full-time enrolment required under their international student status.
In the meantime, the scholarship arrangement was established in 2023 following an initiative involving the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who advocated for opportunities for Ghanaian students after he visited the Memphis in May International Festival.
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