The Ghanaian government has spent GH¢917 million to support students under the No-Fees-Stress Policy, according to Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu. The funds, which covered 321,807 students, were paid from budgetary support from the Consolidated Fund. This initiative aims to reduce the financial burden of tertiary education on students and their families. The policy was launched on July 4, 2025, as part of President John Mahama's 2024 National Democratic Congress Resetting Ghana Manifesto.
The No-Fees-Stress Policy was implemented by the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) and adequately funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). The programme seeks to provide financial support to students, ensuring that they can access higher education regardless of their financial standing or geographical location. The policy has been commended by stakeholders, including the management and leadership of the SLTF and GETFund, for making President Mahama's vision a reality.
The Stakeholder Engagement on the Implementation of the No-Fees-Stress Initiative, organised by the SLTF, brought together representatives of Vice-Chancellors Ghana, Vice-Chancellors of Technical Universities, Principals of Colleges of Education, and civil society organisations. The event, held at Dawu in the Eastern Region, aimed to strengthen the implementation of the policy through institutional partnerships for inclusive, equitable, and sustainable student financing.
Despite the successes of the No-Fees-Stress Policy, Minister Iddrisu acknowledged that one of the major challenges is the timely release of budgetary allocations. He stressed the need for timely releases to ensure the initiative's purpose is not defeated. The policy has opened up student loan trust support to students studying Law for the first time in many years, demystifying legal education.
The government plans to extend this support to medical education in the coming years, as part of its commitment to human capital development. Minister Iddrisu emphasised that human capital development should be seen as a strategic investment requirement for every government, with sufficient budgetary allocation provided for it. The No-Fees-Stress Policy has come to stay, with the government committed to supporting eligible Ghanaian students in accessing higher education.
The Chief Executive Officer of the SLTF, Dr Saajida Shiraz, presented an update on the No-Fees-Stress Policy, highlighting the fund's role as a statutory agency under the Ministry of Education. The SLTF has been working to ensure that students receive the necessary financial support to pursue their education. The policy has made significant progress, with 321,807 students benefiting from the GH¢917 million allocation.
The No-Fees-Stress Policy is a flagship initiative of the government, aimed at promoting inclusive and equitable access to higher education. The policy's implementation has been successful, with stakeholders commending the government's efforts. As the government continues to work on strengthening the policy, it is expected that more students will benefit from the initiative, enhancing their educational prospects and contributing to Ghana's human capital development.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government spent GH¢917 million to support 321,807 students under the No-Fees-Stress Policy.
- The policy aims to reduce the financial burden of tertiary education on students and their families.
- The government plans to extend support to medical education in the coming years.
