Government has reversed course on its pledge to issue direct tuition refunds to first-year university students under its “No-Fee Stress” policy, opting instead to credit the funds toward students’ second-year academic fees.

The change comes despite a campaign promise by then-opposition leader and now-President John Mahama to fully absorb tuition costs for Level 100 students within the first 120 days of his administration. The administration allocated GHS499.8 million (approximately $40 million) for the program.

Initially, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu had affirmed during his parliamentary vetting that students who had already paid their 2025 tuition would receive cash reimbursements. “We intend to provide that money to the affected universities, at least to make refunds to all those who have already paid those fees,” he said at the time.

But in a recent interview on JoyNews’ NewsNight, Deputy Education Minister Clement Apaak clarified that the government would not pursue direct payments. Instead, students’ accounts will be credited in anticipation of their second year of study.

“The same students are going to be continuing,” Dr. Apaak said. “Rather than the physical reimbursement, what should have come to them will become a credit, which will then mean that as they go to second year, they wouldn’t have to pay because they have already paid for their first year.”

He added that the decision to route funds directly to universities was driven by accountability concerns. “This approach helps us avoid logistical challenges and any potential impropriety,” he said.

The government’s pivot underscores the complexities of delivering large-scale tuition relief programs, particularly amid tight fiscal constraints and administrative hurdles in higher education financing.

Source:TheDotNews