Over 142,000 first-year students benefit from No-Fees Stress policy – Apaak 

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr Clement Apaak, says more than 142,000 first-year students in public tertiary institutions have benefited from the government’s n
No-Fees Stress policy.

Dr Apaak said the intervention reflects a deliberate effort to widen access to higher education and remove financial barriers that prevent qualified students from enrolling.

Addressing the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development’s (USTED) 4th Congregation, he explained that the policy is backed by substantial state funding and forms part of a broader inclusion agenda in the education sector.

“Through the No-First Year-Fee Policy, government absorbed the academic fees of over 142,000 first-year students in public tertiary institutions,” the Deputy Minister said, pointing to allocations of GH¢499.8 million in 2025 and GH¢537 million in 2026 to sustain the programme.

He described the initiative as a long-term investment in national development rather than a short-term relief measure.

“These are not handouts. They are strategic investments in human dignity, equity, and national productivity,” Dr Apaak noted, adding that expanding access to tertiary education is critical to building a skilled and competitive workforce.

According to him, the policy aligns with the government’s broader vision of positioning education as a driver of economic transformation, particularly at a time when skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship are becoming central to job creation.

He stressed that financial constraints should not determine who gets the opportunity to pursue higher learning.

Dr Apaak also highlighted complementary measures aimed at promoting fairness and inclusion within the tertiary education system.

He referenced the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities Policy, launched in October 2025, as a key step towards ensuring equal opportunity. “Education must never be the privilege of a few; it must be the right of all who qualify,” he said.

The Deputy Minister argued that policies that expand access must be matched with quality and relevance in teaching and training.

He urged universities to respond by strengthening skills-based programmes and supporting students to translate academic training into practical outcomes.

“Ghana does not merely need degree holders; she needs problem-solvers, innovators, ethical leaders, and skilled creators of value,” Dr Apaak said, challenging institutions to align their programmes with national development priorities.

He added that the government expects beneficiaries of the no-fee policy to make good use of the opportunity offered to them.

“Your education is a national asset,” he said, encouraging students to apply their training to create opportunities for themselves and others.

Dr Apaak assured stakeholders that funding for access-focused policies would remain a priority, as the government works to balance expansion and sustainability in Ghana’s tertiary education system.