President John Mahama has announced a sweeping $35 million (GH¢452.9 million) government initiative to fully cover academic fees for more than 156,000 first-year students enrolled in public tertiary institutions across Ghana, a move aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education and fulfilling a key campaign pledge.
The “No-Academic-Fee” policy, which took effect in the 2025 academic year, was unveiled during a national address marking Mahama’s first 120 days in office. The president said the program is designed to “ease the burden on families and expand access to higher education,” framing it as part of a broader agenda to improve equity and social protection.
Funding is being disbursed through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND), with institutions receiving direct payments to avoid administrative bottlenecks. “GETFUND has been instructed to pay the fees directly to the tertiary institutions, ensuring timely disbursement,” Mahama said, noting the move would reduce bureaucracy for both students and schools.
To support implementation, the government launched a digital platform—branded the “No-Fees-Stress” portal—through which eligible students can verify and access funding. Officials say the portal is now live and operational for the 2025 intake.
In addition to the tuition initiative, Mahama outlined two new social protection policies: free tertiary education for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the establishment of a national health support scheme, dubbed the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, or MahamaCares.
According to the president, funding for PWD beneficiaries has already been factored into the government’s 2025 Budget Statement, with the Education Ministry providing enrollment data to GETFUND for the upcoming academic cycle.
Mahama also spotlighted the MahamaCares initiative, which aims to provide financial support for Ghanaians battling chronic health conditions not fully covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme. The president said the fund was officially launched at the University of Ghana Medical Centre on April 29, where he pledged six months of his presidential salary as a personal contribution. Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang followed with a four-month salary pledge.
The initiatives underscore Mahama’s strategy of delivering rapid policy shifts early in his tenure—programs that could serve as political anchors ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Source:TheDotNews