By Grace Zigah
In a move to ease the financial burden on Ghanaian families and boost access to higher education, President John Dramani Mahama has launched the much-anticipated “No Fees Stress” initiative in Koforidua.
The policy, a cornerstone of his 2024 campaign promises, eliminates academic user fees for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions across the country.
This marks a significant step under the President’s broader “Reset Ghana” agenda, which aims to reduce economic pressure on vulnerable households while providing opportunities for youth development through education.
The launch attracted a wide array of government officials, education sector stakeholders, students, and civil society groups.
Speaking at the launch event, President Mahama revealed that the policy was inspired by countless interactions with brilliant but needy students during his political career.
“These are not isolated stories,” he said. “These are real people whose dreams were derailed simply because of financial limitations. This policy is our way of removing that barrier.”
So far, the response has been overwhelming. According to data from the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), nearly 130,000 first-year students registered online by mid-June, with over 100,000 completing the application process.
This sharp uptake indicates a deep demand for educational support, particularly in lower-income communities.
Further evidence of the policy’s impact was shared by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications, who noted that at least 19,500 students had already received reimbursements for academic user fees. SLTF corroborated this, announcing that 19,703 students had also received second-semester loans as of July 1, 2025.
The Acting CEO of SLTF, Dr. Saajida Shiraz, emphasized that the fund’s reach had extended to 135 public and private tertiary institutions nationwide.
“We are committed to ensuring that no eligible student is left behind, especially in these critical first steps of their academic journey,” she said.
To ensure inclusivity, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu announced that students living with physical disabilities would also be covered under the policy.
He further disclosed that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) would increase its support to the SLTF from GH¢70 million to GH¢150 million to help meet growing demand.
“The goal,” Iddrisu noted, “is not just to keep students in school but to empower them to succeed without the mental and financial toll that comes with worrying about fees.”
