Accra: The 'No Fees, No Stress' initiative, launched by President John Dramani Mahama in July 2025, aims to alleviate the financial burden on first-year students in public tertiary institutions by eliminating tuition fees. This policy, a promise from the National Democratic Congress's 2024 manifesto, seeks to address the high unemployment rates in Ghana and improve access to higher education.
According to Ghana News Agency, over 120,000 Ghanaian students have benefited from the policy, with the government receiving 207,087 applications. After a validation process, 142,089 applicants were deemed eligible, and disbursements have been made to 120,222 students. The policy, funded by the GETFund, requires over GHS350 million annually to support approximately 125,000 students.
A study by the Centre for Democracy and Socio-economic Development Africa highlighted several issues with the policy's implementation, including poor awareness and barriers to registration. The focus group discussion with students revealed that while media reports and the President's 2024 manifesto launch informed many about the initiative, detailed registration information was lacking. Students emphasized the need for timely communication from government agencies to prevent confusion.
The sustainability of the policy is a major concern. Minister of Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, suggested allocating 2.5 per cent of the country's oil revenue to ensure its financial viability. However, civil society organizations, like the Centre for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA), argue that diverting vital oil revenues could exacerbate existing educational challenges, such as infrastructural deficits at the basic level.
UNESCO warns that inadequate financing for education poses a threat to global sustainable development. It calls for increased investments in education, arguing that failure to act could lead to significant financial losses globally. The organization stresses that education is a transformative investment, not a cost, underscoring the need for sustainable financing to drive progress.
Experts, including Professor Ibrahim Mohammed Gunu, emphasize the importance of diversified revenue streams for sustainable funding, suggesting public-private partnerships and innovative approaches. Political commentators also suggest alternative funding mechanisms, such as targeted loan schemes.
In conclusion, while the 'No Fees, No Stress' policy aims to improve access to tertiary education, its sustainability requires a long-term investment strategy. Broader conversations are needed to explore better funding mechanisms and ensure the policy's viability in improving tertiary learning outcomes.
