NUGS-Belgium Champions Ghanaian Students’ Welfare at Ghana’s 69th Independence Anniversary in Brussels
The National Union of Ghana Students-Belgium (NUGS-Belgium) played a prominent leadership role in Ghana’s 69th Independence Anniversary celebration held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Chancery in Brussels. The event, organised in collaboration with the Ghana Council and the Ghana Embassy, brought together members of the Ghanaian diaspora, including student groups, political party representatives, religious bodies, and traditional leaders.
Addressing the gathering, the General Secretary of NUGS-Belgium, Andrews Kwame Perprem, delivered a compelling message on behalf of Ghanaian students in Belgium. Having arrived from Ghana just a day before the event, he conveyed greetings from the Ghanaian populace while firmly drawing attention to the pressing challenges facing Ghanaian students abroad.
Mr. Perprem underscored the urgent need for renewed educational cooperation between Ghana and Belgium, specifically calling on the Ambassador to engage the Belgian authorities to reinstate Ghana’s access to the VLIR-UOS scholarship programme. He revealed that there are currently over 250 Ghanaian students enrolled across various higher education institutions in Belgium, the majority of whom are self-funded.
According to him, many of these students rely on loans secured back home to finance their education, placing them under immense financial pressure. This often compels them to take on demanding jobs to survive and service their debts, circumstances that significantly undermine their academic performance and overall well-being.
In a candid reflection of the lived realities of Ghanaian students, Mr. Perprem highlighted a growing concern: the difficulty of returning home after graduation. He noted that despite their advanced qualifications—including master’s and doctoral degrees, many graduates face limited employment opportunities in Ghana, coupled with systemic challenges such as bureaucratic bottlenecks and corruption in business registration processes.
“Our greatest challenge is returning home after our studies,” he stated. “Many of us are burdened with debt, yet the environment back home does not readily support our reintegration or entrepreneurial ambitions.” He further explained that while professional opportunities in Belgium remain limited for many Ghanaian graduates—largely due to language barriers, returning home is often not a viable option.
As a result, a significant number of highly educated Ghanaians find themselves working in low-skilled jobs, such as warehouse order-picking, despite their qualifications. Demonstrating proactive leadership, NUGS-Belgium also called for stronger institutional collaboration within the diaspora. Mr. Perprem appealed to the Ghana Council to deepen its engagement with the student body, positioning itself as a support system for Ghanaian students navigating life and education in Belgium.
In response, Ghana’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union, Henry Tachie-Menson, reaffirmed his commitment to youth development. He encouraged Ghanaian students to build stronger connections with second-generation Ghanaians born in Belgium, promoting cultural and educational exchanges that strengthen Ghana’s global presence.
The event not only celebrated Ghana’s independence but also served as a platform for NUGS-Belgium to assert its leadership in advocating for the welfare, academic success, and future prospects of Ghanaian students abroad. Through its active engagement, the union continues to position itself as a critical voice in shaping policies and partnerships that impact Ghana’s emerging global talent.
