The University of Memphis reportedly confirmed last week that it received a partial payment from Ghana toward outstanding fees for nearly 200 students, and will allow the students to remain on campus despite the remaining balance owed.
According to a report from Fox 13, the university recently received a $1 million payment from the Republic of Ghana, which the outlet reported was sufficient for the foreign students to remain on campus.
A university spokesman told the outlet it remains “hopeful” that Ghana will pay its outstanding debt, “to ensure the students will be able to continue their education through the fall semester.”
African media outlets initially revealed in July that Ghana owed the university more than $3 million, having paid just $400,000 toward the $3.6 million agreement to provide education for 185 Ghanaian students.
University of Memphis previously told The Tennessee Star that the students would face consequences, including “academic dismissal, visa complications, and loss of housing and support,” before Ghana made the $1 million payment this month.
A spokesman also told The Star that Ghana’s failure to pay came despite the foreign students achieving an average GPA of 3.75.
After the failure of Ghana to pay was confirmed, the U.S. Department of State told The Star it is the responsibility of colleges and universities to “carefully review and vet international agreements” when entering into contracts with foreign nations.
The State Department spokesman confirmed the students, “are required to adhere to the requirements of their visa, including maintaining a full course of study, attending classes and maintaining normal academic progress,” amid the uncertainty caused by the government in Ghana.
University President Bill Hardgrave previously speculated that Ghana’s failure to pay its bills stemmed from the 2024 elections in the African nation. The nation’s new leader, President John Mahama, promised to “reset our country” after he took office earlier this year.
According to the World Bank Group, Ghana experienced higher economic growth in 2024 than economists expected, possibly driven by a gold rush that allowed Ghana’s gold reserves to swell by 56 percent, even as the nation faced extreme debt from previous decades of economic struggles.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Bill Hardgrave” by the University of Memphis.
If they cannot afford the fees here, how do they get to continue without suspension? Maybe if they cannot afford schooling here, they should continue schooling where they come from.
How many legal citizens get to continue without suspension if they are not paid up?
If they afford the fees here, maybe they should go to school where they came from.
How many legal citizens who don’t pay all fees get to continue without suspension?