The government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Education, has disbursed GH¢917 million to more than 300,000 students nationwide under the No-Fee-Stress policy. This initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on parents and guardians who struggle to meet the cost of tertiary education for their wards. The policy was introduced in 2025 to provide financial relief to students and families who face difficulties paying education-related fees.
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, disclosed this information during a stakeholder engagement with Vice Chancellors of Ghana and other education stakeholders at Adukrom in the Eastern Region. He stated that the investment demonstrates the government's commitment to ensuring that financial difficulties do not prevent qualified students from pursuing higher education. The Minister emphasized that the government has disbursed GH¢917 million to over 300,000 students, showing its commitment to supporting students who pursue higher education.
Despite the intervention, concerns have been raised about the long-term sustainability of the No-Fee-Stress policy and the need to secure reliable funding to maintain the programme. The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Student Loan Trust Fund, has therefore engaged key stakeholders to explore alternative funding models for the policy. This discussion focused on ensuring the timely release of funds to students to prevent delays that could affect their academic progress.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Student Loan Trust Fund, Dr. Saadjida Suraj, noted that the Fund is considering alternative financing arrangements to address the growing demand for student support. She underscored the commitment of the Fund to improving the disbursement process and ensuring that students receive the necessary financial support. The Fund will be the guarantee institution for all students who will be pursuing higher education.
Haruna Iddrisu said the government has earmarked additional funding to sustain the No-Fee-Stress policy. He stressed that financial constraints should not prevent qualified students from accessing higher education. The Minister further assured stakeholders that the government remains committed to the continuation of the policy, saying it is intended to ensure that students can complete their education without being unduly affected by financial challenges.
The stakeholder engagement is expected to inform discussions on sustainable financing mechanisms and improved disbursement of funds under the No-Fee-Stress policy. The engagement brought together Vice Chancellors of Ghana and other education stakeholders to discuss the policy's implementation and the way forward. The Ministry of Education and the Student Loan Trust Fund are working together to ensure the policy's success.
The No-Fee-Stress policy has benefited over 300,000 students since its introduction in 2025, with the government disbursing GH¢917 million to support their education. The policy is a significant intervention in the education sector, aimed at reducing the financial burden on students and their families. The government's commitment to sustaining the policy is expected to have a positive impact on the education sector.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has disbursed GH¢917 million to over 300,000 students under the No-Fee-Stress policy.
- The policy aims to reduce the financial burden on parents and guardians who struggle to meet the cost of tertiary education for their wards.
- The government is exploring alternative funding models to sustain the policy and ensure its continuation.
