The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has welcomed the 2025 Budget presented by the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, lauding its focus on education, job creation, and skills development.
However, the student body, representing over 12.5 million Ghanaian students, urged the government to further prioritize infrastructure development in the education sector to ensure sustainable progress.
NUGS praised the government’s decision to uncap the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), viewing it as a significant victory in addressing financial constraints in education.
“The allocation of GH¢3.5 billion for Free SHS and an additional GH¢4.1 billion from the uncapped GETFund signal a commitment to improving secondary education. The allocation of GH¢564.6 million for free textbooks for KG, primary, and JHS students will directly impact quality learning outcomes.”
Daniel Korley Botchway, President of NUGS, and Bismark Yaw Ofori, General Secretary
The increase in the Capitation Grant from GH₵84 million in 2024 to GH₵145.5 million, representing a 73.2% rise, was also lauded as a critical intervention to support basic schools.
Additionally, the allocation of GH₵203 million for teacher trainees and GH₵480 million for nursing trainees is expected to ease financial burdens for students pursuing careers in education and healthcare.
Another significant improvement in the budget, according to the student body, is the boost to the School Feeding Program, with an increase from GH₵1.344 billion to GH₵1.788 billion.
This has resulted in an upward revision of the per-meal allocation from GH₵1.50 to GH₵2.00 per student, a move that NUGS described as “an encouraging development” for addressing student nutrition in public schools.
Concerns Over GETFund Utilization and Infrastructure Deficit
While acknowledging the positive strides made in the budget, NUGS expressed concerns regarding the diversion of GETFund resources primarily towards financing the Free SHS policy instead of their original mandate of infrastructure development.
According to the student body, the reallocation limits the ability of GETFund to address the backlog of abandoned school infrastructure projects, some of which have remained incomplete since 2016.
NUGS reiterated that without a dedicated funding source for Free SHS, the nation risks perpetuating an underfunded education infrastructure system.
The union has therefore proposed the introduction of a Special Education Levy of 1.5% VAT or another dedicated tax to create a sustainable Free SHS Fund administered by GETFund.
“As a country, if we believe that the Free SHS policy is a beneficial social intervention, as NUGS does, we should agree to establish a dedicated tax to fund it without compromising educational infrastructure”.
Daniel Korley Botchway, President of NUGS, and Bismark Yaw Ofori, General Secretary
Support for Student Entrepreneurship and Skills Development
The student body also acknowledged the government’s efforts in job creation and economic empowerment, particularly through the Adwumawura Program (GH₵100 million) and the National Apprenticeship Programme (GH₵300 million).
NUGS, however, called for the establishment of a Student Entrepreneurship Fund that would provide startup capital and training for student-led businesses.
“Young entrepreneurs should not be left behind in Ghana’s economic transformation agenda,” the statement noted. NUGS commended the GH₵100 million allocation for the National Coders Programme aimed at enhancing digital skills among the youth.
GH₵1.5 billion allocated to agricultural transformation and vocational training under the National Apprenticeship Programme was also seen as a positive step towards equipping young people with practical skills for employment.
Call for Effective Policy Implementation
Despite the promising policies outlined in the budget, NUGS emphasized that effective implementation remains key.
The student body urged the government to ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement of funds.
Additionally, NUGS called for a structured university-industry collaboration that would facilitate internship programs, work-study opportunities, and stronger investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
As the foremost advocate for Ghanaian students, NUGS reaffirmed its commitment to holding the government accountable and ensuring that the provisions in the 2025 Budget translate into tangible benefits.
The student body vowed to continue engaging policymakers and stakeholders to advocate for policies that enhance student welfare, educational infrastructure, and long-term sustainability in the sector.
The statement was jointly signed by Daniel Korley Botchway, President of NUGS, and Bismark Yaw Ofori, General Secretary, reiterating the union’s position that education remains “a right, not a privilege.”
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