The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to issue a firm instruction to all public universities to immediately halt any unauthorized increases in tuition fees.
The directive comes in response to reports that some universities have arbitrarily raised their fees following the government’s announcement of the “No Fees Stress Policy,” which guarantees free tertiary education for first-year students and persons with disabilities. The policy, hailed as one of the most impactful social interventions of the administration, aims to alleviate the financial burden on students and their families.
Speaking before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Monday, November 3, 2025, Hon. Iddrisu expressed concern that certain institutions were exploiting the new policy to impose unjustified fee adjustments.
He urged the public to recognize the significance of the policy, describing it as a milestone achievement during his tenure as Education Minister. “When we launched the No Fees Stress Policy, I felt we had achieved something truly meaningful. It was a moment that gave me peace, knowing it would positively impact countless students,” he remarked.
The Minister further noted that some universities appeared to be taking advantage of the government’s commitment to absorb tuition costs, imposing fees that are not approved or justified.
He stressed that such actions undermine the policy’s intent and called on GTEC to issue clear and enforceable instructions to ensure compliance across all public tertiary institutions.
Hon. Iddrisu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting equitable access to tertiary education, emphasizing that universities must align their fee structures with the administration’s goal of easing the financial burden on students and their families. “Our objective is to ensure that no qualified student is denied access to higher education because of financial constraints. Institutions must support this vision rather than obstruct it,” he added.
