By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled sweeping reforms in Ghana’s education sector, promising to make access to quality learning a guaranteed right for all citizens.
Speaking at his first media encounter of his second term, the President revealed that more than 120,000 first-year students in public tertiary institutions had already received refunds of admission fees under the “No Fees Stress” policy.
“It signals a decisive break from the painful era when young Ghanaians lost their dreams simply because they couldn’t pay fees upfront,” he said.
The initiative, he added, is directly tied to the Student Loan Plus programme, designed to give students flexible financing options throughout their studies.
At the basic level, the government has allocated GH¢564.6 million for textbooks, the largest investment in nearly a decade to strengthen foundational learning.
In secondary education, the President confirmed that Free SHS has received GH¢3.5 billion, with new decentralised feeding systems set to improve the quality of meals in schools.
President Mahama also highlighted inclusivity, confirming that free tertiary education for persons with disabilities had officially commenced.
He announced the creation of a Ghana National Research Fund, starting with GH¢50 million, to boost innovation and reduce dependence on foreign research grants.
As part of this, five PhD scholarships per year will be awarded in every public university.
“By investing in our thinkers, we are investing in Ghana’s future,” the President said.
