The government has announced a GHS 345 million allocation in its first budget to cover the academic fees of first-year university students, aiming to provide relief to families burdened by tuition costs. Education Minister-designate Haruna Iddrisu made this known during his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament in Accra. The initiative, which seeks to enhance access to higher education, will also refund students who have already paid their admission fees.
While this move offers significant benefits to students and their families, it poses a considerable challenge to the government’s finances. The GHS 345 million expenditure comes at a time when the national budget is already strained, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
This intervention will specifically cover first-year students pursuing regular academic courses, excluding those enrolled in professional programs like Medicine. The Minister-designate reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintain the Free SHS policy but stated that a comprehensive review would be undertaken to ensure the policy’s sustainability. This review, according to him, will address funding issues while maintaining access, quality, and affordability at all levels of education.
The government plans to engage stakeholders, including parents, teacher unions, and the academic community, in a forum to identify and address the challenges facing the Free SHS policy. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the policy’s implementation and secure reliable, long-term funding.
In addition to addressing university fees, the government plans to uncap the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to unlock additional resources for educational infrastructure development. Minister-designate Iddrisu suggested that 5-6% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) be allocated to support education, to improve accessibility and quality at all levels, from preschool to tertiary education.
Despite the benefits of these educational initiatives, the government’s financial commitment to higher education, particularly in providing free university fees, raises questions about how it will balance these obligations with its broader fiscal responsibilities.
