The initiative, part of his administration’s commitment to equitable access to education, was revealed during a major stop on his nationwide “Thank You Tour” in Koforidua, Eastern Region.

Addressing thousands of enthusiastic supporters at Jackson Park on Sunday, 20th July, President Mahama said the necessary funds had already been secured to ease the financial burden on students and their families.

“In September, the new batch of first-year students who will be enrolled, money is ready to be reimbursed for their academic fees,” he declared, receiving loud cheers from the crowd.

The fee reimbursement falls under the government’s flagship ‘No Fees Stress’ policy — an equity-based intervention aimed at removing financial barriers to tertiary education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The policy forms part of President Mahama’s broader social protection and human capital development agenda, which was central to his 2024 election campaign.

In addition to the fee support, the President revealed that his government had cleared six months of unpaid allowances owed to students in nursing and teacher training colleges.

“We have also paid six months’ arrears of allowances for students at the nursing and teacher training colleges,” he stated, adding, “We promise that they will receive their allowances every month.”

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President John Mahama announced this during his 120-day performance update on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Known as the No-Academic-Fee policy or free university tuition, it was part of the President’s key campaign promises ahead of the 2024 election.

He explained that the policy aims to increase access to higher education, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

During his address, the President revealed that GH₵452,940,012.00 has been allocated to cover the fees and will be disbursed through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND).

“The ‘No-Academic-Fee’ policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions was a key promise to ease the burden on families and expand access to higher education. My government has taken concrete steps to implement this.”

“GETFUND has also been instructed to pay the fees directly to the tertiary institutions, ensuring timely disbursement to prevent delays and bureaucracy that typically frustrate students and school administrators alike,” he said.

To streamline access, the government has developed the ‘No-Fees-Stress’ application portal, which is now live.

“First-year students can register and authenticate their eligibility for this government funding through the portal,” Mahama noted.

He added that data from the Education Ministry has been provided to GETFUND for planning disbursements.

The President further announced the introduction of two policies: Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares.

“We committed to introducing vital social interventions: Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities. Budget allocation for beneficiary students has been captured in the 2025 Budget Statement,” he added.

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However, the Abura Asebu Kwamankese MP has stated that he believes Ghanaians will not be angry if the policy is not implemented this year.

Mr. Ofosu disclosed this in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen after he was asked when the policy will take effect.

As a new government, the lawmaker was optimistic that Ghanaians would give them adequate time to implement the policy successfully.

“Everybody will agree that we don’t have ministers yet, so even if we say tomorrow, it is not a realistic expectation. Ghanaians are slow to anger, and they will give you a long time.

“They are also reasonable people and know that as a new government, the circumstances don’t permit you to do certain things. I don’t think they will hold it against you; they will give you sufficient time,” he said.

Regardless, the Minister of State-designate for Government Communications admitted that if the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government unnecessarily delays, there will be consequences.

“Except, for instance, if we don’t do it after a year without any reasonable excuse, then Ghanaians will take action.

“So really, I don’t think the problem is about the fact of unfulfilled promises but the failure to accept responsibility,” he stated.

President Mahama, ahead of the 2024 election, promised to provide tuition-free education for first-year students in public universities.

He explained that the policy aims to increase access to higher education, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Meanwhile, universities have already commenced the admission process while the proposed policy is yet to take effect.

Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has since assured that students who have already paid their fees will be reimbursed.

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While he acknowledges the benefits of easing the financial burden on students and parents, he warns that the country’s stretched education budget may not be able to bear the weight of such an initiative without careful planning.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, he recognised the proposal by Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education nominee, as a step in the right direction, offering much-needed support for new students.

However, he stressed that while the idea is commendable, the reality of financing it could pose significant challenges for the already fragile national budget.

“While it’s a great move for students, we need to ask ourselves: how much do we actually have to fund these initiatives?” he asked, underscoring the importance of a sustainable funding strategy.

He highlighted the ongoing financial struggles within the education sector, including arrears owed to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), unpaid bills to school feeding suppliers, and long-overdue payments to food vendors in Senior High Schools (SHS).

To make matters worse, capitation grants have been in arrears for over two years, raising serious concerns about the government’s ability to meet its educational commitments.

Mr. Musah also pointed to the need for a broader, more long-term strategy to secure reliable funding for education in Ghana, something GNAT has long advocated for but has yet to see fully implemented.

Without this, he warned that any effort to support first-year students could be short-lived and add even more strain on the system.

Mr. Musah agreed that paying first-year university students’ fees is a positive development, and emphasised that its success hinges on the government’s ability to secure sustainable funding.

“Without a solid financial plan, the initiative could face significant challenges and deepen the financial pressures already plaguing the education sector,” he concluded.

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This comment follows Mr. Mahama’s plan that first-year tertiary students will not pay fees.

According to him, this is part of a government initiative to lessen the burden on parents financing their children’s education.

“We will implement a no-fees stress programme to alleviate the financial burden on parents and students in financing tertiary education. We will implement a no academic fees policy at the university for level 100 students,” he said.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on August 12, Mr Asare said there should be a broader focus on what can be done to keep less privileged students in school even after the first year, and what can be done to support those who cannot afford it.

He advised that “We must have a targeted regime of identifying students who are genuinely unable to afford the cost of tertiary and give them even more support than the waiver of academic facility user fee so that they can enter and complete.”

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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