Ghanaian medical graduates stranded in Cuba call on Mahama for assistance

Ghanaian medical graduates trained in Cuba are seeking intervention from President John Dramani Mahama to facilitate their return to Ghana. They completed their studies on July 22, 2026, but remain on the island nearly two months later, following multiple delays in their departure.

Raphael Oteng Boakye, president of the group of new Ghanaian graduates in Cuba, explained on Citi News Digest that their initial return was scheduled for August 28. Subsequent deadlines on September 3 or 4, and then September 7, 9, and 15 or 17, have also been postponed. As of September 20, the group reports that they have not received any definitive schedule.

The delay is also impacting their professional journey. Before taking the Ghanaian licensing exam, graduates must complete six months of clinical internship. Each additional week spent in Cuba thus pushes back their integration into the Ghanaian healthcare system, according to their representative.

The group also claims that six months of allowances remain unpaid. Raphael Oteng Boakye stated that he was informed that funding for four months had been released, but no actual payments have been made. He also mentioned an annual allowance of $360 intended for books that has not been disbursed for five years.

The graduates report facing additional challenges during this wait. Some can no longer access their health coverage after it expired, while their student cards expired on August 31. They also report issues with electricity and water in their residences.

The group has reached out to the Ghana Scholarship Authority and the Ghanaian diplomatic mission in Cuba, but has not received a new departure date at this time. They are urging the government to arrange their return, settle the outstanding allowances, and support the cost of their first attempt at the medical licensing exam.