President John Dramani Mahama has stated that his government will ensure financial challenges do not bar Ghanaian students from attaining higher education after completing Senior High School (SHS).

“Let it be known across this land that, from today, no Ghanaian child will be denied tertiary education simply because they cannot afford the academic fees," he said during the launch of the government's flagship initiative, the No Fees Stress policy.

The event was held on Friday, July 4, at the Eastern Regional capital, Koforidua.

President Mahama noted that his administration cares about restoring dignity to the Ghanaian student.

“This policy is not about welfare. It is about fairness. It is about affirming that the right to education is not a privilege for the wealthy, but a shared national inheritance," he added.

Prior to the launch, Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, while speaking at the 58th Special Congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) said more than 100,000 students have finalized their applications.

“The government continues to implement funding models that improve access to quality education. One of these is the No Fees Stress policy, under which first-year students in public institutions are exempt from paying academic user fees.

“Data from the Students Loan Trust Fund, which manages the programme, shows that by mid-June, nearly 130,000 students had accessed the portal, with over 100,000 completing their applications,” she said.

The “No-Fee Stress” initiative was a major campaign promise by then-presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama, who pledged to absorb academic fees for all Level 100 students within the first 120 days of his administration.

To support the rollout of the “No-Fee Stress” policy, GH¢499.8 million has been allocated under the 2025 national budget, which was presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on Tuesday, March 11.

Meanwhile, 35,608 tertiary students across 130 public and private institutions nationwide have received financial support from the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) for the 2024/2025 academic year.

The SLTF, conversely, has reiterated its resolve to release funds on time to allow students to gain admission into their preferred tertiary institutions without financial hindrance.

Earlier this year, the Fund approved financial aid for 9,433 students enrolled in 62 public and private tertiary institutions nationwide.

The Ministry of Education has made accessible a registration portal to help first-year students at public tertiary institutions in Ghana apply for financial assistance under the government’s new No-Fees-Stress Policy.

Launching the portal on Monday, April 29, Education Minister Hon. Haruna Iddrisu described the policy as a bold and strategic move by the government to improve access to tertiary education and invest in the country’s future workforce.

The SLTF explained that the new system will make it easier for eligible students to register, submit their details, and be assessed for financial support.