8th July, 2025
President John Dramani Mahama on the 4th of July 2025 launched the “No Fees Stress” educational Policy, a Policy aimed towards supporting first year students and preventing them from not being enrolled across the public universities in Ghana, due to financial difficulties. He announced at the launching at the SDA College of Education in Koforidua that, 15, 000 level 100 students across public universities in Ghana have had their admission fees paid under the Government’s “No Fees, No Stress” Policy. Other stakeholders to grace the occasion were Hon. Haruna Iddrisu (Minister for Education) and Hon. Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka (Minister for the Interior).
President Mahama speaking at the launch stated that, 34, 500 applications had been verified out of over 150, 000 prospective students who had accessed the online application portal so far. He stated the initiative will remove financial hindrances that prevent students from continuing their education at their Tertiary level. He stated that in the 2022/3 academic year, over 150, 000 students were able admitted but unable to enrol due to financial hindrances.
Ghana’s pursuit of accessible education is rooted in its history. Since independence, education has been a cornerstone of national development for the Ghanaian Anatomy. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s government introduced free primary and middle school education through the Education Act of 1961, increasing enrollment and attendance.
Over the years, various governments have implemented policies to enhance education accessibility. The Busia administration introduced a loan scheme for boarding fees in 1971, while tuition remained free. Later, the Acheampong government abolished loan schemes, making basic education entirely free. However, the loan scheme was reinstated in 1976.
The PNDC era under Flt. Lieut. Rawlings saw a shift towards cost-sharing in tertiary education. The introduction of Academic Facilities User Fees and Residential Facilities User Fees in the mid-1990s, influenced by the IMF and World Bank, further impacted education financing. The National Union of Ghanaian Students’ proposal for a common fund led to the establishment of the Ghana Education Trust Fund in 2000.
In recent years, significant strides have been made. President Mahama introduced free senior high education for day students in 2015, which President Akufo-Addo later expanded to cover all day and boarding students. Building on this momentum, the “No Fees Stress” policy provides free tertiary education for first-year students in public universities, complemented by loan schemes for subsequent years. Additionally, people with disabilities will benefit from free education, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.
Today, 15,000 students have already benefited from this policy, marking a significant step towards making education more accessible and equitable in Ghana.
AFRICAN VOICES INTERNATIONAL, FREEDOM IN AFRICA
