GH¢537m allocated to ‘No Fees Stress’ policy, GH¢292m for free sanitary pads in 2027 budget

Government has allocated GH¢537 million to the No Fees Stress Policy for first-year tertiary students and GH¢292 million for the distribution of free sanitary pads to schoolgirls in the 2027 Budget.

The two allocations form part of the GH¢48 billion earmarked for the Ministry of Education to support teaching, learning and access to education.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the funding while presenting the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 12.

The GH¢537 million provision is intended to support first-year students under the No Fees Stress Policy, which seeks to reduce the financial burden associated with entering tertiary education.

In the budget breakdown, Dr. Forson said, “iii. GH¢537 million to the No Fees Stress Policy for first-year students so that the cost of entry does not close the door to opportunity;”

The government has also set aside GH¢292 million for the distribution of free sanitary pads to support girls’ participation in education.

The Finance Minister listed the allocation among the Ministry’s education spending priorities, stating, “iv. GH¢292 million for the distribution of free sanitary pads to support girls’ participation in education;”

The two interventions target different barriers to participation in education, with the No Fees Stress Policy focusing on the cost of tertiary entry and the sanitary pad programme supporting girls in schools.

The allocations come alongside other education support measures in the 2027 Budget, including GH¢227 million for teacher trainee allowances and GH¢250 million for the Scholarship Secretariat.

Overall, the GH¢48 billion allocation to the Ministry of Education is intended to support teaching, learning and access to education across the country.