President John Dramani Mahama has officially unveiled the ‘No Fees Stress’ policy, a significant equity-focused initiative designed to eliminate financial obstacles to tertiary education in Ghana.
During the launch event in Koforidua on Friday, July 4, the President announced that this new policy would cover academic-related fees for all first-year students admitted into public tertiary institutions nationwide.
“Beginning this academic year, the State will cover the academic-related fees of all first-year students admitted into our public universities, colleges of education, technical universities, and nursing training institutions,” President Mahama declared.
He characterised the policy as more than merely a budgetary measure, describing it instead as “a moral, constitutional, and developmental imperative.”
The President emphasized that many qualified Ghanaian students are unable to pursue their tertiary education because they cannot pay the upfront academic fees.
He referenced figures from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, along with examples from teacher and nursing training colleges, to illustrate the heavy financial burden on students.
“In the 2022/2023 academic year, over 150,000 students were admitted to public tertiary institutions. Yet, thousands could not take up these admissions due to the inability to pay academic-related fees,” he said.
“These are not just statistics. Behind each number is a name, a face, a dream deferred.”
President Mahama emphasized that the policy should not be seen as a mere handout but as a constitutional duty to guarantee educational access for all.
“This policy is not about welfare. It is about fairness,” he stated.
“Education is the great equaliser. It bridges the gap between where a child is born and what that child can become.”
Key features of the No Fees Stress policy include:
- No Academic Fees for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions.
- A revamped Student Loan Plus scheme to enhance support for continuing students.
- Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities.
- Increased student loan amounts, adjusted annually.
- Targeted scholarships for underrepresented communities and priority fields of study.
- Reimbursement of up to GHS 2,500 for students in fee-paying programmes without regular-track equivalents.
President Mahama also revealed that more than 15,000 students have already had their academic fees settled under the programme.
“This is just the beginning,” he said, officially launching the initiative.
He urged tertiary institutions to implement the policy with “transparency, compassion, and excellence,” and called upon private sector stakeholders and development partners to join in supporting the programme through scholarships, bursaries, and innovative public-private financing models.
Concluding his address, the President reaffirmed his government’s dedication to creating a fairer society through education, stating: “Let it be known across this land that, from today, no Ghanaian child will be denied tertiary education simply because they cannot afford the academic fees.”
He further noted that the No Fees Stress policy is in line with Article 38(3) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates the State to ensure equal access to university education.
