Government establishes special desks to support students abroad

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has directed the establishment of a special department within Ghana’s diplomatic missions to prioritize and cater to the needs of Ghanaian students abroad.

The special desk will provide enhanced support and assistance to students facing challenges related to education, residency, and welfare while studying in foreign countries.

According to Hon. Ablakwa, the well-being of Ghanaian students remains a top priority, and this move will ensure they receive prompt assistance from embassies and consulates whenever needed.

He further stated that the student desk has already been established in 11 countries and emphasized that it will not impose any additional costs on taxpayers.

Following a successful pilot phase, the initiative is expected to be expanded to all Ghanaian diplomatic missions worldwide.

Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa made this announcement in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Below is the full post.

I am delighted to announce that on my instructions, Ghana’s Foreign Ministry has established a special department in our diplomatic missions abroad to prioritize and cater for the needs of students.

Student Desks have immediately been created in 11 countries where data confirms a high number of Ghanaian students currently studying in those countries.

Diplomatic missions where these Student Desks have been created are: Abidjan, Beijing, Belgrade, Cotonou, Havana, Lome, London, Moscow, Rabat, Rome and Ottawa.

This initiative will soon cover all diplomatic missions following this pilot phase.

The creation of this special department would not come at an extra cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer, neither would it require additional recruitment since the initiative relies on reassigning consular staff.

The embassy officials responsible for this new role are to send monthly reports to the Consular and Humanitarian Affairs Bureau for onward transmission to the Foreign Minister.

The Mahama administration is determined to end the era where Ghanaian students studying abroad, particularly those on government scholarships are left stranded, neglected and frustrated when they need urgent assistance in areas such as fees facilitation, immigration support, medical emergencies, verification of academic records, housing and accommodation support, evacuations and legal aid.

More institutional reforms to follow.

Together, we shall reset Ghana.

Source: Elvisanokyenews.com