Accra — President John Dramani Mahama has announced a sweeping education reform that will see over 150,000 first-year students in public tertiary institutions have their academic fees fully covered by the state under a new “No-Academic-Fee” policy.
Delivering a national address to mark his first 120 days in office, President Mahama emphasized that the policy is a key fulfillment of his campaign promise to ease the financial burden on families and expand access to higher education.
“This is a bold and deliberate step toward inclusive education,” he said. “The ‘No-Academic-Fee’ policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions was a key promise, and we are delivering on it.”
A total of GH¢452.9 million has been allocated to cover academic facility user fees for 156,294 students in the 2025 academic year. The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) will handle disbursement, with funds transferred directly to the institutions to avoid delays.
“GETFUND has been directed to pay the fees directly to schools, cutting through the usual bureaucracy that hinders timely support,” the president said.
To streamline the process, the government has launched the “No-Fees-Stress” online portal, allowing students to register and verify their eligibility for the policy.
In addition to the education initiative, President Mahama introduced two major social intervention programs: Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, dubbed MahamaCares.
“The Free Tertiary Education for PWDs is a vital step forward in equity,” Mahama stated. “It has been fully captured in the 2025 Budget, and data from the Ministry of Education is already in GETFUND’s hands for planning disbursements for the 2025/2026 academic year.”
Turning to healthcare, the President described MahamaCares as a groundbreaking fund designed to provide direct financial support to Ghanaians suffering from chronic illnesses not adequately covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
In a show of personal commitment, President Mahama pledged six months of his salary to the fund during its launch at the University of Ghana Medical Centre on April 29. Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang also pledged four months of her salary.
Government appointees have been instructed to contribute one month’s salary, and the public is being encouraged to support the initiative via mobile donations using the shortcode *255# across all networks.
The MahamaCares Bill is finalized and set to be laid before Cabinet, followed by parliamentary consideration.
“We are united in this mission to touch lives and bring health, healing, hope, and joy,” Mahama said in closing.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Gumedzo Isaac Acheampong
