Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Mahama has pledged that a future NDC government will prioritize alleviating the financial burdens faced by parents and students in public tertiary institutions.
In a Facebook post on Friday, September 27, 2024, he emphasized the pressing need for accessible and affordable education, asserting that it is a fundamental right for all Ghanaians.
Mr. Mahama expressed his belief that education should not be a privilege for the wealthy, but a right available to everyone. He voiced concern over the rising costs of education and the financial strain these impose on families, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.
To address these challenges, he outlined plans for scholarships, reduced tuition fees, and increased funding for public universities to help ease the economic pressures on families.
Additionally, Mr. Mahama indicated that a future NDC administration would collaborate with educational institutions to ensure financial aid reaches those in need effectively. He called on Ghanaians to reflect on the current government’s impact on education and the sacrifices made by families striving to provide their children with quality education.
He underscored the importance of investing in the youth, arguing that their education is crucial for the country’s development and future growth.
He urged voters to support the NDC, promising that an NDC administration would prioritize education and the well-being of students and parents. He outlined a specific commitments to exempt all first-year students in public tertiary institutions from paying academic fees during their first year after admission, as part of the No-Academic-Fees Policy designed to offer a worry-free start to their academic journey.
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The next NDC government is committed to easing the financial burdens faced by parents and students in our public tertiary institutions. Our pillars of support under the policy include:
- Exempt all first-year students in public tertiary institutions from paying academic fees during their first year after admission. As outlined by Joseph Ogyemoko Baleto in the docuseries, the No-Academic-Fees Policy will enable, especially our unfortunate brothers and sisters, to enjoy a worry-free start to their academic journey.
- Revamp the Student Loan Trust Fund to increase loan amounts to students based on individual needs and ensure prompt disbursements when needed. We will also reintroduce the Student Loan Trust Fund Plus to provide financial assistance to continuing tertiary students to enable them to pay for their academic, hostel, and other fees after the first year of no-fee payment.
- Empowering students with disabilities by providing them with free tertiary education. This is an affirmation of our belief in equal opportunity.
- Establish Tertiary Endowment Funds (TEF) in partnership with alumni, philanthropists, and corporate Ghana to help provide lasting support for students across public tertiary universities.
- Provide teacher and nurse trainees with allowances, student loans, and other funding options.
Under the Mahama and NDC administration, quality education will be within everyone’s reach. That is why I invite you to join us in building a brighter, more inclusive future for all students!
Choose 8 and Vote for John Mahama to make education accessible. Together, we can ease the financial stress of education for the Ghanaian student.