Accra, June 11, GNA - Government has released a total of 2.63 million dollars for the immediate payment of scholarship claims for some Ghanaian students studying abroad.

The amount covers payment for those studying in Benin, Morocco, Algeria, Russia, Czech Republic, China, Togo, Tanzania, Egypt and Cuba, a statement issued by the Ministry of Information said on Wednesday. It explained that the plight of students studying abroad as reported by sections of the media has been caused by the non-payment of claims due them in 2008.

Government sympathizes with the affected students for the difficulties experienced over the period, the statement said. For example the statement noted that some 1.7 million dollars, representing claims for Bilateral Awards for students in Morocco, Algeria, Cuba, Russia, Czech Republic and China, was unpaid from October to December 2008.

"A further 126,295.69 dollars was unpaid 2008 tuition fees for year abroad students in Benin," it said. The statement said the money released by government would also cover the payment of the balance of 2008 and 2009 claims for the Year Abroad Programme students in Togo, Russia, Tanzania, Egypt, Benin and Cuba.