The “No Fees Stress” program was formally introduced by President John Dramani Mahama in Koforidua, signaling a significant turning point in the government’s efforts to increase access to higher education.
All first-year students at public postsecondary institutions nationwide are exempt from academic user fees under the program.
It satisfies a major campaign pledge made by Mahama in the 2024 elections and is consistent with his larger “Reset Ghana” plan, which aims to relieve financial strain on low-income households and empower the next generation.
Significant adoption of the policy has already occurred; according to data from the Students Loan Trust Fund, by mid-June, about 130,000 students had registered online, and more than 100,000 had finished the application procedure.
In his speech, President Mahama claimed that the tales of bright but destitute students he had met prior to taking office served as the impetus for the policy’s creation.
Such circumstances are widespread throughout the nation, he said, adding, “These are not isolated stories; these are real stories of people.”
He clarified that this emphasizes the necessity of implementing the No Fees Stress policy in order to provide more vulnerable Ghanaians with access to higher education.
Additionally, Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu claims that at least 19,5,000 students have received reimbursements for their fees.
Additionally, as of July 1st, 19,703 students had received second-semester loans, according to the SLTF.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of SLTF Dr. Saajida Shiraz, who spoke at the inauguration ceremony, also mentioned that her agency recently disbursed second-semester loans to 19,703 students from 135 public and private institutions.
The strategy has been expanded to cover pupils with physical disabilities, according to Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, who also said that the government is moving quickly to provide funding to recipients in this group.
He stated that the GETFund “will double its allocation to the Students Loan Trust Fund from GH¢70 million to GH¢150 million to support students who may wish to access it further.”
