A group of Ghanaian doctors who completed their medical studies in Cuba on July 22, 2026, have been stranded on the island for almost two months, unable to return home due to a series of seemingly endless delays.
Raphael Oteng Boakye, the head of the Ghanaian graduates in Cuba, voiced his concerns on Saturday during the Citi News Digest program, calling for the direct involvement of President John Dramani Mahama to expedite their immediate repatriation.
"Our immediate demand is for the president to step in and arrange for our swift return because we know it is possible," Oteng Boakye stated.
Their initial return date was set for August 28, but it was repeatedly postponed to September 3 and 4, then to the 7th, 9th, and eventually to the 15th and 17th, without any resolution.
"We have yet to receive any definitive information about a final departure date from this country to our homeland," the group’s spokesperson expressed.
The delays have a direct impact on the graduates' professional futures: before they can sit for Ghana's medical licensing exam, they must complete six months of supervised clinical practice, a requirement they cannot fulfill while still in Cuba.
"We are eager to return home as soon as possible to begin our internships and eventually take the licensing exam," Oteng Boakye emphasized.
Compounding the uncertainty of their return are severe economic and administrative issues that have built up over time.
The graduates are dealing with six months of unpaid stipends. Although they were informed that four months' worth of funds had been released, the money has not reached them: "We have yet to receive those four months of stipends, and little to no effort is being made to ensure we get them before we leave."
Additionally, a $360 annual book allowance has not been disbursed for five consecutive years.
Their living conditions have also worsened: student ID cards expired on August 31, health insurance has lapsed, and they report frequent power and water outages in their accommodations, highlighting Cuba's ongoing service crisis.
The group has held discussions with the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat and the Ghanaian diplomatic mission in Havana but has not secured any concrete commitments.
"We keep hearing the same stories over and over. Right now, we're not sure what to believe anymore," Oteng Boakye lamented.
This situation is not new. In September 2025, the National Union of Ghanaian Students in Cuba had already reported that its members were 17 months without stipends and five years without the book allowance, describing extremely dire living conditions, surviving on bread and water, and walking miles to attend classes.
The Ghana-Cuba scholarship program, largely funded by the GNPC Foundation and the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, was established to address the shortage of doctors in the country's rural areas. In 2024, the GNPC Foundation announced that 151 doctors trained in Cuba had successfully returned to Ghana.
The stranded graduates are asking the government for three things: facilitate their immediate return, settle all outstanding stipends and allowances, and cover the cost of their first attempt at the medical licensing exam.
"We are under immense psychological stress and would be greatly relieved if we could leave this country as soon as possible," Oteng Boakye concluded.
FAQs about Ghanaian Doctors Stranded in Cuba
Why are the Ghanaian doctors unable to return home from Cuba?
The doctors are stuck due to continuous postponements of their scheduled return flights and a lack of definitive plans for their repatriation.
What are the consequences of the delay for these graduates?
The delay prevents them from starting the required six months of supervised clinical practice in Ghana, which is necessary before they can take the medical licensing exam.
What financial issues are the Ghanaian doctors facing?
They have not received stipends for six months, and a book allowance has not been paid in five years, despite assurances that some funds have been released.
What actions are the graduates requesting from the Ghanaian government?
They are requesting immediate repatriation, payment of all outstanding stipends and allowances, and coverage of their first medical licensing exam attempt.