By Daniel Bampoe
A major campaign promise by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to waive fees for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions has sparked confusion and backlash, following the launch of a new application portal that critics say undermines the clarity and fairness of the initial pledge.
In the run-up to the 2024 general elections, the NDC boldly promised to absorb tuition fees for all fresh entrants to tertiary education, a move that was widely embraced by Ghana’s youth and played a significant role in galvanizing voter support.
Many families interpreted this as a direct and automatic waiver of fees for all newly admitted students beginning in the 2024/2025 academic year.
However, as the academic calendar commenced earlier this year, the absence of an operational structure for the policy left many students and their families stranded.
Students from low-income backgrounds who could not afford the fees and had relied on the NDC’s promise were left at home, unable to enroll.
Others, hopeful that refunds would be issued later, resorted to taking loans to fund their education, creating uncertainty and frustration.
Former Communications Director of the Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Campaign Team, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, took to social media to criticize what he described as a betrayal of trust and a poorly executed policy.
“From the get-go, we knew the policy announcement was fishy and knew it was just for the votes,” Aboagye wrote.
He questioned the government’s sincerity, accusing them of scamming the youth into voting for them under false pretenses.
He raised several critical concerns:
The original promise implied automatic fee coverage, not a post-payment refund or selective application process.
Students who couldn’t raise fees upfront and thus missed enrollment opportunities are now completely excluded from the program.
Students who secured loans in anticipation of a refund are in limbo, as the government has not provided clear mechanisms for repayment or reimbursement.
The sudden introduction of an application portal suggests the promise may now be subject to means-testing or additional criteria, contrary to the original universal pledge.
On April 29, 2025, the Ministry of Education and the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) announced the launch of the No-Fee-Stress online portal, a registration platform for first-year students to apply for financial assistance.
At the unveiling, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu described the initiative as a “transformative, bold, and visionary” effort to reduce financial barriers and improve access to tertiary education.
According to the SLTF, the portal will streamline registration, help verify eligibility, and facilitate the disbursement of funds.
However, the policy’s sudden shift from blanket coverage to an application-based model has deepened public skepticism. Critics argue the process now mirrors traditional student loan systems, offering no clear indication of how it differs or improves upon them.
“Is this just another form of the old student loan scheme, now rebranded?” Aboagye queried.
“What are the selection criteria, and how is this different from what students have always applied for?”
Stakeholders, especially student groups, are now demanding transparency on the eligibility criteria, disbursement timelines, and the fate of students who were denied access due to early policy lapses.
However, the NDC government has yet to publicly address these specific concerns or provide clarification on whether students who missed out due to the initial delays will be compensated or given another opportunity.
