The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has successfully mediated discussions between the management of the University of Ghana (UG) and the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) regarding the proposed 50% increase in academic fees. Following the engagement, both parties agreed to reduce the increment to 25%.
The meeting, attended by UG management and SRC executives led by President Maradonna Adjei Yeboah, provided a platform for both sides to express their concerns and reach a consensus.
The SRC president argued that increasing academic fees for first-year students from GH¢2,000 to GH¢3,000—a 50% hike—was too steep.
He also called for a reduction in the additional GH¢500 fee imposed on continuing students.
According to him, students were unhappy with the sudden rise in fees, which had become a financial burden.
“If we want to maintain momentum and peace, I urge your office, the president, and all stakeholders, including the vice-chancellor, to reconsider the increase. We want them to cancel it for further review,” he is quoted as saying by 3news.com.
In response, Vice-Chancellor Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo acknowledged the concerns and indicated that some adjustments could be considered.
To facilitate a resolution, the minister invited the Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Professor Ahmed Abdulai Jinapor, to explore possible revisions. After deliberations, all parties agreed to reduce the fee increment to 25% across the board.
The minister further directed UG management to implement the revised proposal and cautioned GTEC to ensure compliance with Ghana’s Fees and Charges Act.
“…Given my background in Parliament, I believe that whenever adjustments to fees are considered, they should align with the Fees and Charges Act. GTEC must take steps to ensure that our universities comply with these directives. We want to uphold due process in all matters,” Haruna Iddrisu stated.
