Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister-designate for the Education Ministry, has announced that first-year tertiary students for the 2024/2025 academic year who have already paid their fees will receive refunds.
Speaking during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee today, Mr. Iddrisu highlighted that this is part of the free tertiary education policy proposed by President John Dramani Mahama. The policy aims to make tertiary education fully accessible and free for students in Ghana.
He emphasized that students who had paid their fees before the policy takes effect would not be disadvantaged. “The refunds will ensure fairness and uphold the promise of free tertiary education for all eligible students,” he stated.
The free tertiary policy is a cornerstone of President Mahama’s education agenda, aimed at easing the financial burden on families and increasing access to higher education. According to Mr. Iddrisu, the government is committed to ensuring that the initiative is effectively implemented to benefit students across the country.
The announcement has been welcomed by students and parents, many of whom have lauded the policy as a bold step toward educational equity. However, questions remain about the mechanisms for processing refunds and the funding strategy to sustain the policy.
Mr. Iddrisu assured the committee that the Education Ministry would work closely with stakeholders to address these concerns and roll out the program seamlessly.