No-fees-stress policy benefits 152,000 tertiary students — Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that over 152,000 first-year tertiary students have benefited from the government’s No-Fees-Stress Policy, describing the initiative as a major step toward expanding access to higher education and reducing financial burdens on families.
Delivering the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament, President Mahama said the policy is part of government’s broader human capital development strategy aimed at improving education accessibility across the country.
“Mr. Speaker, the No-Fees-Stress Initiative was successfully launched and has benefited over 152,000 young people — first-year students in public tertiary universities,” the President told Parliament.
He added that the number of beneficiaries is expected to rise significantly in the coming academic year.
“The number of beneficiaries this year is projected to reach 220,000 first-year students,” he stated, stressing government’s commitment to easing the financial challenges faced by students pursuing higher education.
President Mahama explained that the initiative is part of efforts to build a more equitable education system that ensures talented students are not denied opportunities due to financial constraints.
“Education remains a critical pillar of our national transformation agenda. We are determined to ensure that no young Ghanaian is denied quality education because of inability to pay,” he said.
The President also announced that law students in Ghana will now be able to access the Student Loan Trust Fund scheme to support their legal education.
“This is good news for law students. Law students in Ghana will now be able to access the Student Loan Scheme to pursue their legal education,” he added.
According to the President, the policy complements other education reforms including free tertiary education for persons with disabilities and the clearing of outstanding arrears owed to education institutions.
Government officials say the policy is expected to reduce student dropout rates, promote social mobility, and strengthen Ghana’s skilled workforce for national development.
Education policy analysts have welcomed the initiative, saying it could significantly expand access to higher education while supporting Ghana’s long-term economic growth goals.
President Mahama reiterated government’s commitment to strengthening education financing systems to ensure sustainable support for students across all levels of learning.
