President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the “No Fees Stress” policy, a landmark initiative that eliminates academic fees for all first-year students in Ghana’s public universities and tertiary institutions. The policy is aimed at easing the financial burden on families and expanding access to higher education for all qualified Ghanaians.
In announcing the programme, President Mahama positioned the initiative as a fulfilment of the 1992 Constitution’s Article 38(3), which mandates the State to provide equal access to university or equivalent education to all citizens.
“Let it be known across this land that, from today, no Ghanaian child will be denied tertiary education simply because they cannot afford the academic fees,” the President declared to resounding applause.
Learning from Global Models
Citing global examples, President Mahama pointed to countries like Germany, Norway, Finland, and Scotland, which have adopted free or highly subsidized tertiary education models. He argued that Ghana must align with these global trends to remain competitive and equitable.
“Ghana must not be left behind,” he stated. “If other countries can make tertiary education accessible and affordable, so can we. Our young people deserve the same opportunities.”
The President noted that investment in tertiary education is an investment in the country’s future workforce, innovation, and national progress.
A Call for Shared Responsibility
To ensure the long-term sustainability and expansion of the “No Fees Stress” initiative, President Mahama called on the private sector, philanthropic organizations, and development partners to join hands with government.
“I am inviting our private sector and global partners to co-invest in this historic undertaking—through endowment funds, bursary schemes, and public-private financing models,” he urged. “Together, we can extend the reach of this initiative and secure its future for generations to come.”
Implementation and Impact
The policy takes immediate effect and is expected to benefit thousands of incoming students from diverse backgrounds who have gained admission into accredited public tertiary institutions but face financial barriers to enrollment.
According to government sources, further policy details and implementation guidelines will be released through the Ministry of Education in the coming weeks.
This latest announcement forms part of President Mahama’s broader education and human capital development agenda, which also includes the Free Primary Healthcare Programme and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), both introduced earlier this year.
