Koforidua: President John Dramani Mahama has launched the 'No Fees Stress' Policy initiative as part of efforts to boost enrolment into the nation's tertiary institutions. The policy will provide free tuition for all first-year students in the nation's public tertiary institutions.
According to Ghana News Agency, the launch of the 'No Fees Stress' policy was in fulfillment of President Mahama's 2024 election campaign promise to Ghanaians. The President introduced the policy initiative at the SDA College of Education in Koforidua in the Eastern Region. The event was attended by dignitaries including the new Juabenmanhene Nana Kwaku Boateng III and the new Juabenmanhemaa Nana Juaben Serwaa III.
President Mahama emphasized that the initiative aligns with a constitutionally inspired mission, fulfilling the mandate under Article 38(3) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires the State to provide equal access to university or equivalent education to all Ghanaians. "We are building a Ghana where opportunity is not inherited but created," he stated, highlighting that the initiative ensures every Ghanaian child has access to tertiary education regardless of income or background.
The policy aims to eliminate financial barriers to entry into public tertiary institutions. Starting this academic year, the State will cover academic-related fees for all first-year students admitted into public universities, colleges of education, technical universities, and nursing training institutions. Many students, who previously could not afford these fees and had to forgo their educational aspirations, will now have the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
President Mahama noted that in the 2022/2023 academic year, over 150,000 students were admitted to public tertiary institutions; however, thousands could not take up these admissions due to financial constraints. Data from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission indicates that many students defer or drop out each year for this reason.
The President highlighted the financial challenges faced by students, such as a student in a College of Education receiving a monthly allowance of GHS 200 but needing to pay GHS 1,362 in admission fees. In nursing colleges, the fees are even higher, while the annual student loan of GHS 2,550 is insufficient to cover university fees that can reach up to GHS 8,000.
President Mahama stated that tertiary education is crucial for societal progress, creating professionals and spurring innovation. According to the World Bank, each additional year of tertiary education can increase an individual's earnings by up to 17% in developing countries. Despite this, the 2021 Population and Housing Census showed only 18% of Ghanaians aged 18 and above had completed tertiary education, indicating a significant gap in post-secondary qualifications.
The 'No Fees Stress Policy' is designed for inclusivity and scalability, incorporating key components such as the No-Academic-Fees Policy, Student Loan Plus Initiative, and Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities. At the policy's launch, the Government had cleared academic user fees for an initial 15,000 students, marking the beginning of this initiative.
President Mahama declared: "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. This is the path to a more just society. This is how we build a future where no dream is deferred, and no potential is wasted."
