The Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr. Saajida Shiraz, has reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to the seamless rollout of the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities initiative launched by President John Dramani Mahama on Friday, 24th October 2025, at the Accra College of Education.
The initiative, described by many as a transformative step toward inclusivity, aims to remove financial barriers faced by persons with disabilities in accessing higher education.
The launch event was an inspiring display of talent, innovation, and resilience, highlighting the limitless abilities of persons with disabilities and the importance of creating equal opportunities for all citizens.
Dr. Saajida Shiraz expressed the SLTF’s readiness to lead the implementation of the program, emphasizing that the Fund would continue to work under the direction of the Ministry of Education to ensure a smooth and effective rollout. She noted that the initiative marks a crucial step in expanding the frontiers of Ghana’s education inclusiveness agenda.
“The Students Loan Trust Fund, which has been tasked with the implementation of this flagship initiative, is committed to its seamless rollout and will, under the direction of the Ministry of Education, continue to engage stakeholders, especially persons with disabilities, to fine-tune implementation”.
Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr. Saajida Shiraz
Dr. Shiraz extended appreciation to President Mahama for his vision and leadership, describing the initiative as one that will not only empower persons with disabilities but also strengthen Ghana’s human capital base.
The launch of the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities marks a major milestone in Ghana’s education reform agenda, which aims to remove systemic barriers to access and participation.
The initiative is expected to support thousands of students with disabilities annually, enabling them to pursue degrees, diplomas, and professional training without financial burden.
Presidential Endorsement of Policy
President John Dramani Mahama, in a statement shared after the event, described the initiative as a historic step toward true equality and inclusion. He emphasized that the policy was not an act of benevolence but one grounded in justice and moral responsibility.
“It has been another historic milestone in our country’s journey towards true inclusion and equality. The introduction of the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disability is not an act of charity. It is a moral responsibility and an act of justice.”
President John Dramani Mahama
He noted that behind the statistics of more than two million Ghanaians living with disabilities were individual stories of perseverance, talent, and ambition that deserve recognition and support.
According to President Mahama, the initiative is a fulfillment of his longstanding commitment to ensure that all Ghanaians, irrespective of physical condition or socio-economic background, have equal access to education and opportunity.
He drew connections between this new policy and the Inclusive Education Policy introduced under his first administration in 2015.
“In 2015, we introduced the Inclusive Education Policy. Today, we advance that vision further by fulfilling my pledge to make higher education accessible to all, regardless of financial condition or circumstances”.
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama further disclosed that the implementation will be led by the revamped and digitized Students Loan Trust Fund, which will operate with transparency and efficiency.
He added that the program will be supported by an annual contribution of GHS 50 million from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). The President reiterated that education remains the most powerful tool for empowerment and national transformation, adding that inclusivity in education strengthens both the economy and society.
He called on all stakeholders to ensure the sustainability and integrity of the initiative, stressing that it is a collective responsibility to build a Ghana where no citizen is excluded from learning or serving the nation.
“Our collective task is to ensure that no Ghanaian is denied the chance to learn, to work, and to serve because of disability. Together, we are building a Ghana that leaves no one behind”.
President John Dramani Mahama
The Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities initiative is seen by education and social inclusion advocates as a game-changing policy that could significantly transform access to tertiary education.
With the SLTF at the helm of implementation, the focus now shifts to stakeholder engagement, transparent administration, and ensuring that eligible students across Ghana can benefit from the initiative.
The policy aligns with Ghana’s broader social protection agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
As the rollout begins, both the government and the SLTF have pledged to maintain transparency, accountability, and collaboration with disability advocacy groups to ensure that the program delivers on its promise of inclusivity and equality.
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