Dr. Apaak commissions Students Loan Northern office to deepen tertiary financing reform

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has commissioned the Northern Zonal Office of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) to strengthen the delivery of tertiary financing.

The Deputy Minister delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu at the official opening of the Northern Zonal Office of the SLTF in Tamale on February 16, 2026.

Dr. Apaak described the new office as more than a ceremonial addition, stressing that it represents “the operational expansion of Ghana’s tertiary financing architecture.”

“We are gathered here for an event of considerable policy significance, the official opening of the Northern Zonal Office of the Students Loan Trust Fund,” he said. “This is not merely the commissioning of a facility; it is the operational expansion of Ghana’s tertiary financing architecture.”

He explained that the move is designed to translate government policy into measurable outcomes by improving service delivery and strengthening equity within higher education financing.

“Decentralisation is not symbolic; it is a governance reform that improves efficiency and accountability,” Dr. Apaak stated, noting that centralised systems had previously caused delays in application verification and limited physical access for students.

According to him, the five northern regions are home to a rapidly growing tertiary student population, increasing demand for financial support across universities, colleges of education, agricultural colleges and health training institutions.

“This zonal office directly addresses these structural gaps,” he said, adding that it will provide localised application processing, strengthen institutional data coordination, and reduce administrative bottlenecks.

Dr. Apaak emphasised that access to education without reliable financing mechanisms undermines national development goals.

“Access without financing is incomplete,” he said, stressing that the SLTF serves as “a bridging mechanism between aspiration and opportunity.”

He further encouraged students to take advantage of the support available while maintaining financial discipline.

“We encourage you to access the support available, but also to uphold the principle of responsible repayment. The sustainability of the Fund depends on collective discipline,” he noted.

The deputy minister said the expansion aligns with broader education reforms aimed at equity and institutional efficiency within the tertiary learning space.