President John Dramani Mahama has announced that 15,000 first-year students across Ghana’s public tertiary institutions have had their tuition fees fully paid under the newly launched No Fees Stress policy.

The groundbreaking initiative, officially unveiled on Friday, July 5, 2025, at the SDA College of Education in Koforidua, aims to remove financial barriers to higher education and promote equal opportunity for all Ghanaian youth.

“As we speak, academic user fees have been cleared for an initial 15,000 students under this policy. This is just the beginning,” President Mahama stated.

A Bold Commitment to Equity in Education


Describing the policy as a “moral, constitutional, and developmental imperative,” the President emphasized that access to tertiary education must not be reserved for the privileged few but must be made accessible to every Ghanaian, regardless of economic background.

Backed by Article 38(3) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees equal access to higher education, the No Fees Stress policy covers admission-related costs for first-year students in public universities, technical universities, nursing training institutions, and colleges of education.

Tuition fees range between GHC1,362 and GHC8,000, making this policy a significant financial relief for many families.

“Behind each number is a name, a face, a dream deferred,” the President said. “This policy is more than a budgetary item. It is about affirming that the right to education is not a privilege for the wealthy, but a shared national inheritance.”

Expanding the Vision: Student Loan Plus and Support for Vulnerable Groups


Alongside the fee elimination, the government is also introducing a revamped Student Loan Plus programme for continuing students, offering expanded financial support for those already enrolled.

Students with disabilities will also receive full financial coverage, while those in fee-paying programmes can access partial reimbursements of up to GHC2,500.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu announced that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) will double its contribution to the Student Loan Trust Fund from GHC70 million to GHC140 million in the next budget cycle.

“Education is the great equaliser,” President Mahama said. “It bridges the gap between where a child is born and what that child can become.”

Positive Response and National Impact


CEO of the Students Loan Trust Fund, Dr. Saajida Shiraz, revealed that 124,000 first-year students have already applied for support, with 49,956 validated for reimbursement.

Data from 135,255 enrolled students has been submitted by institutions, and the validation process is ongoing.

The rollout is being coordinated in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Vice-Chancellors Ghana, and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.

A Call to Stakeholders


President Mahama urged tertiary institutions, the private sector, and development partners to support the full rollout of the programme and ensure its sustainability.
“To our students, this opportunity is yours to seize. Focus, excel, and commit yourselves to serving Ghana.”

He closed his address by reaffirming a national vision where “talent, not wealth, determines opportunity”, adding:
“We are building a Ghana where opportunity is not inherited but created.”

The No Fees Stress initiative marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s educational reform journey—aimed at equity, inclusion, and preparing a future-ready generation.