Ghanaian Scholars Achieve Global Success at Google and Cambridge as SLTF Urges Graduates to Prioritize Loan Repayments

Ghanaian academic excellence has reached new heights on the international stage, led by the remarkable journey of Prince Debrah Jr., a 2021 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) finalist. Debrah, an alumnus of Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School (PRESEC), recently graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is set to join tech giant Google as a software engineer in San Francisco. His achievement coincides with the success of three Ghanaian women—Francisca Arhinful, Fadila Issah, and Jemimah Mensah—who have defied odds of extreme poverty to earn Master’s degrees from the University of Cambridge. These milestones highlight the caliber of Ghanaian talent and the transformative power of educational support systems like Camfed and the Mastercard Foundation.

Prince Debrah Jr.’s transition to a high-profile role at Google underscores the competitiveness of the global tech market, where entry-level software engineering positions often command six-figure salaries. Despite his success, Debrah remains mindful of the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence and its potential long-term impact on career trajectories. Similarly, the new Cambridge graduates are turning their academic success into social impact, committing to mentor young girls facing financial hardships. These women, who once faced the prospect of dropping out due to family poverty, now serve as beacons of hope for the millions of girls across Africa who struggle to complete secondary education, as noted by UNESCO.

While some celebrate these global milestones, the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) is sounding an alarm regarding the financial sustainability of domestic educational support. Rosemary Aryee, Head of Repayment and Recovery at the SLTF, has cautioned graduates against prioritizing expensive lifestyles over their debt obligations. She pointed out that many defaulters possess high-end mobile phones and maintain substantial data plans, which contradicts claims of an absolute inability to pay. The SLTF emphasizes that unemployment is not a valid excuse for defaulting, urging beneficiaries to utilize informal work or online businesses to begin settling their debts shortly after completing their studies.

The contrast between international academic triumphs and the domestic challenges of loan recovery underscores the need for a balanced approach to education in Ghana. To facilitate easier repayment, the SLTF has introduced flexible plans and mobile money payment options, warning that rising default rates threaten the viability of the program for future students. As scholars like Debrah and the Cambridge graduates demonstrate the heights Ghanaian students can reach with proper support, the SLTF's call for accountability serves as a reminder that the continued success of the nation’s education system depends on the responsible participation of its beneficiaries.