News:
June 18, 2026
Accra, Ghana — President John Dramani Mahama’s flagship “New Fee Stress Policy” has provided financial relief to more than 312,000 tertiary students across Ghana, with the government committing nearly 889 million Ghana cedis to the initiative since its inception.
The social intervention programme, designed to ease the financial burden on students and their families, was officially launched in July 2025 at the Asia College of Education in Go Free Draw and is now fully operational nationwide.
Significant Milestones Achieved
Speaking in Parliament, the sector minister provided a comprehensive breakdown of the policy’s impact. During the 2024/2025 academic year, 150,268 students benefited from the programme at a cost of 399,374,727 Ghana cedis. For the ongoing 2025 academic year, 159,750 students have already received support totalling 489,456,427 Ghana cedis.
“To date, Mr. Speaker, 312,448 students have been assisted under the new no fee stress policy at a total cost of 888,831,000 cedis,” the minister announced.
Inclusive Support for Persons with Disabilities
In a landmark move toward inclusive education, the government has allocated 9,837,000 Ghana cedis to provide full fee and residential coverage for 1,530 persons with disabilities for the 2025/2026 academic year.
“We are speaking about what we have done to support young people desiring to access tertiary education,” the minister emphasised, highlighting the policy’s commitment to equity and accessibility.
Demystifying Legal Education
In a significant policy shift, the government has extended the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) Plus scheme to law students, including those pursuing professional law programmes. Currently, 332 law students have received full fee coverage loans, with payments made directly to their institutions. This includes 610 students from the Ghana School of Law.
“We are demystifying legal education, and therefore students pursuing law and professional law can now apply for the student loan trust plus,” the minister confirmed.
Parliamentary Recognition
The minister acknowledged the everyday struggles faced by families, noting that Members of Parliament themselves frequently encounter constituents unable to pay school fees.
“I should thank members of Parliament. Many of you pay school fees for first years, and I am sure even as you walk into the chamber, you are confronted daily that ‘I haven’t been able to pay my fees, help me out’,” he stated.
Government’s Response to Criticism
The policy represents the government’s response to previous criticisms of its education policies. “President Mahama has appropriately and unequivocally responded to this with a new fee stress policy as a social intervention to support young people to have access to higher education,” the minister concluded.
The New Fee Stress Policy continues to operate as a cornerstone of the government’s commitment to expanding access to tertiary education across Ghana.
Ghanamps.com