Student Loan office for Northern Zone fundamental to inclusion – Student

A student with disability at Tamale Technical University has described the Northern Zonal Office of the Students Loan Trust Fund as fundamental to advancing inclusion in tertiary education.

Rafia Braimah delivered the solidarity message during the commissioning of the zonal office in Tamale on Monday, aligning her remarks with the broader equity objectives outlined at the event.

“It reflects a deep and enduring commitment to equity, inclusion, and human development,” she said, stressing that the establishment of the Northern office goes beyond administrative expansion.

According to her, access to education remains “one of the most powerful instruments for empowerment, social mobility, and national transformation,” and strengthening financial support structures ensures that opportunity is not restricted by circumstance.

“Opportunity must never be constrained by disability, economic hardship, or social disadvantage,” Braimah stated, linking the decentralised office directly to improved accessibility for vulnerable groups across the five northern regions.

She noted that recent interventions within Ghana’s education sector have already produced measurable social impact. Referencing the No Fees policy, she observed that many students have experienced “notable reductions in financial anxiety and academic stress,” allowing them to focus more effectively on their studies.

“This relief is not merely economic, it is psychological, emotional, and motivational,” she added.

Braimah also pointed to the introduction of Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities as a transformative measure that has restored dignity and broadened educational access.

“Inclusive education is not charity, but a matter of rights, fairness, and national progress,” she said, underscoring why the Northern Zonal office represents more than infrastructure.

She commended the Fund and policymakers for strengthening inclusive human capital development, noting that support for marginalised students translates into long-term national gains.

“By supporting students, particularly those from vulnerable and marginalised groups, we invest in resilience, innovation, and the future prosperity of our nation,” she emphasised.

The commissioning ceremony formed part of government’s broader tertiary financing reforms, with officials highlighting decentralisation as a tool for improving efficiency.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Clement Abas Apaak has visited Tamale to open a new Student Loan Trust Fund office for the Northern Zone.

He encouraged students to borrow responsibly to ensure sustainability of the fund.