First-Year Students to Be Reimbursed Under Mahama’s Free Tertiary Tuition Policy
First-year tertiary students who have already paid their tuition fees will get their money back under the government’s new Free Tertiary Tuition Policy, according to Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister-Designate for Education.
This plan is part of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s promise to make higher education more affordable, a key pledge during their 2024 campaign.
Speaking in Parliament on January 20, 2025, Mr. Iddrisu explained how the policy will work. He said the government will need about ₵345 million each year to cover tuition fees for first-year students.
To make sure students who already paid are treated fairly, the government will send money to universities to refund those fees. “We will provide funds to the universities so they can give refunds to students who have already paid,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu also pointed out that parents who want to continue paying fees can still do so if they choose. “Parents who wish to pay can still do so under this policy,” he added.
The Free Tertiary Tuition Policy is designed to ease the financial burden on families and make higher education accessible to more students.
Mr. Iddrisu promised to ensure the smooth implementation of the policy, which has been praised as a major step toward affordable education for all Ghanaians.
The Education Minister-Designate reaffirmed his commitment to overseeing the policy’s successful rollout, promising that no eligible student would be left behind.
The policy has been hailed as a transformative step toward making tertiary education more accessible to students across the country.
