Gov’t Introduces Major Policies to Improve Tertiary Education – Vice President
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang says government is reshaping Ghana’s tertiary education system through major interventions aimed at removing barriers and expanding access for all students.
She highlighted the new “No Fees Stress” policy, which took effect in the 2025/2026 academic year. The policy removes financial barriers for first-year students entering public tertiary institutions, ensuring that qualified students are not denied admission because they cannot afford fees.
The Vice President was speaking at the 59th Postgraduate Congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi. The ceremony, attended by the Asantehene and Chancellor of KNUST, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, saw 221 students receive Doctor of Philosophy degrees in recognition of their research and academic excellence.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang also announced the introduction of Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disability, which began in October this year. She explained that the policy ensures that every qualified person with a disability who gains admission to an accredited public tertiary institution can pursue higher education without facing financial hardship. She described the initiative as a fair and just act by government to support students with disabilities.
She noted that the two interventions, No Fees Stress and Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disability, are built on fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity. According to her, these policies are designed to ensure that admissions into tertiary institutions are based on merit and the aspirations of students, rather than on their financial background.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang added that these policies will help strengthen the country’s human capital by giving more young people access to higher education, which will contribute to Ghana’s long-term national development. She said scholarships and educational support should not only focus on classrooms and laboratories but must show real impact on society.
The Vice President praised the graduating students for their dedication and urged them to take up leadership roles with responsibility and integrity. She said Ghana and the African continent need leaders who are guided by data, ethics, and public interest.
She encouraged the new PhD holders to remember the sacrifices made by their families, communities, and the nation. She reminded them to maintain humility and use their knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to national development.
