In a bold and transformative pledge, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to making tertiary education more accessible for Ghanaian youth through its free academic fees for all level 100 students across all public tertiary institutions in the country.
The General Secretary of the NDC announced that under the next NDC administration led by former President John Dramani Mahama, all Level 100 students in public tertiary institutions would be exempt from paying academic fees starting January 2025.
“In the upcoming NDC government, H.E John Mahama is making a powerful commitment to the youth of Ghana: from January 2025, no Level 100 student in any public tertiary institution—be it a university, college of education, nursing training college, or technical university—will have to worry about paying academic fees”.
Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, NDC General Secretary
The initiative hailed as a significant breakthrough, according to the opposition party’s chief scribe is poised to provide relief to countless Ghanaian secondary school graduates who have successfully passed their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) but are unable to pursue higher education due to financial constraints.
He emphasized that the initiative is a direct response to the plight of students who, despite qualifying for admission, often lose or forfeit their places because of their inability to pay academic fees.
Highlighting former President Mahama’s vision of expanding access to tertiary education in the country, Mr Kwetey pointed out that the initiative aimed to eliminate financial barriers that prevent deserving students from accessing tertiary education.
He stressed that by doing so, the NDC aims to ensure that no student is denied the opportunity to further their education due to economic hardship.
“Education is a right, not a privilege,” Mr Kwetey emphasized, underscoring the party’s belief that every Ghanaian student deserves the chance to succeed regardless of their financial background.
Funding the Initiative
Explaining how the National Democratic Congress administration under former President Mahama will fund the initiative, Mr Kwetey indicated that the proposed policy is estimated to cost between GHS 275 million and GHS 290 million annually.
According to him, the NDC plans to fund this ambitious program by cutting down on perceived wasteful and profligate government expenditures, particularly those within the Office of Government Machinery.
This redirection of funds, he noted is a strategic move to prioritize the education and future of Ghana’s youth, ensuring that resources are allocated to areas that have a direct impact on the nation’s development.
Support for Continuing Students
Moreover, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the NDC General Secretary disclosed that while the focus is on relieving the financial burden for first-year students, the NDC has plans to support continuing students.
According to him, the opposition party intends to rejuvenate and expand the Student Loan Trust Fund Plus (SLTF), providing a robust financial safety net for students throughout their academic journey.
This initiative, he posited aims to ensure that no student is forced to abandon their studies due to a lack of financial support, offering a seamless transition from one academic year to the next.
In a fervent call for support, Mr Kwetey affirmed the opposition party’s commitment to addressing the country’s challenges, asserting that the NDC is well-positioned to truly prioritizes the hopes and dreams of Ghanaian youth.
He called on voters to support a political party that is committed to making tertiary education accessible to all.
“On December 7th, let’s choose a future where tertiary education is a right, not a privilege. Let’s vote for a government that truly prioritizes the hopes and dreams of our youth. Let’s vote for John Mahama and the NDC,” Kwetey urged.
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