Minister-Designate for Education Haruna Iddrisu has revealed that the government requires approximately ₵345 million to fully implement its proposed free tuition policy for first-year tertiary students.
Speaking at his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on January 20, 2025, the Tamale South MP described the initiative as a transformative step toward broadening access to higher education in Ghana.
“The country will require about ₵345 million for students entering tertiary institutions. We intend to provide this money to the affected universities, at least to offer refunds to those who have already paid their fees,” he stated.
Iddrisu emphasized the fairness of the policy, which includes provisions for reimbursing students who have already settled their tuition fees.
The policy, introduced by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during their 2024 campaign, aims to alleviate the financial burden on families and expand access to higher education.
Iddrisu noted that parents who prefer to pay fees can still do so under the new framework.
“The beauty of this policy is that parents who wish to pay can do so,” he remarked.
He assured the committee of his commitment to ensuring the policy’s effective implementation, emphasizing the government’s strategy to channel funds directly to universities for seamless execution.
