The Global Union of Ghanaian Scholars (GUGS) has expressed concern about the plight of Ghanaian students who were forced to return home few months ago due to the ongoing military war in Sudan.

According to the union, these students who were pursuing their dreams and education abroad, are now facing uncertain and challenging circumstances.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 26 October 2023, the union noted that: “The conflict in Sudan has disrupted the lives of these young Ghanaian scholars, depriving them of the educational opportunities they had worked hard to secure. As a nation, we cannot stand idly by in the face of their distress.”

Highlighting the financial challenges that these Ghanaian students had been through prior to this time particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the union indicated that: “these students were not beneficiaries of Government of Ghana scholarship and were deceived by the agency that sent them to Sudan.

“During that period of Covid-19, most could not even afford accommodation and hence slept outside or perched with friends, which was very disheartening. The struggle to feed during that period was another big issue which led to some members, especially ladies going through horrible and unacceptable situations to survive. When they couldn’t withstand it anymore, most of the students had to walk through the desert for weeks to try and get home. Walking through the desert with basically no financial support and security is very disheartening.”

It revealed that the “war was so sudden that these students again were locked up in their rooms during the Islamic fast period without food for days and with their life in danger.”

It, therefore, called on the relevant authorities, educational institutions, civil society organisations, and the public to take action on the plight of these students including ensuring the continuity of their education, psychological support, community integration and advocacy.