By: Nana Antwi Boasiako
President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) Prof. Mamudu Abunga Akudugu, has formally requested that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) provide a detailed funding plan for their proposed free university fees policy for first-year students, should they assume office.
While acknowledging the potential benefits of the policy, Prof. Akudugu expressed reservations about its potential to achieve equity and effectively address the long-standing infrastructural challenges plaguing Ghana’s tertiary institutions.
The UTAG President expressed doubt about the NDC flagbearer’s promise to cover fees for university freshers, wondering if this is the party’s sole commitment to tertiary institutions. As political parties unveil their manifestos, UTAG has resolved to scrutinize policies impacting them and has invited flagbearers for in-depth discussions.
While welcoming the NDC’s initiative to waive academic fees for first-year tertiary students, the UTAG national president is calling for greater clarity on how the policy will address the pressing infrastructural challenges facing universities. He also pointed out that universities are already struggling to cover essential expenses, including utility bills and other operational costs, which may be exacerbated by the free fees policy.