The Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr Saajida Shiraz, has expressed strong optimism about the future of education financing in Ghana, suggesting that the country may be edging closer to a fully subsidised tertiary education system.
Speaking in an interview on State of Affairs with host Joshua Kodjo Mensah on GHOne TV on Monday, July 7, Dr Shiraz linked her hopeful outlook to recent government interventions aimed at easing the financial burden on students.
“The way government is going, I am very sure a full fee tertiary education scheme is close by,” she said. “I feel we are doing well. I can see that in the future.”
Her comments come in the wake of the official launch of the No Fees Stress policy by President John Dramani Mahama in Koforidua on July 4, 2025. The policy, which covers academic-related fees for all first-year students admitted into public tertiary institutions, has already benefited over 15,000 students across the country.
Dr Shiraz, who has been instrumental in the rollout of the policy, said the initiative marks a decisive step toward equitable access to higher education. She noted that the policy was backed by extensive stakeholder engagement, a dedicated online application portal, and technical committees to oversee seamless implementation.
READ: Students will not misuse ‘No Fees Stress’ support – SLTF CEO
Beyond the fee waivers, the President also announced complementary measures including the Student Loan Plus initiative for continuing students, free tertiary education for persons with disabilities, and expanded scholarship opportunities for underserved regions and critical development sectors.
Dr Shiraz, reflecting on the broader impact of these reforms, said Ghana’s education financing architecture is being reset to prioritise access, inclusion, and long-term national development.
READ: Over 124,000 students apply under No Fees Stress – SLTF boss
While a fully state-funded tertiary system has yet to be formally announced, the tone and direction of the policy, as articulated by both President Mahama and Dr Shiraz, signal a clear shift toward broader public investment in education as a national priority.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Barbara Yeboah
