The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that a total of 312,448 first-year tertiary students have so far benefited from the government’s flagship No Fees Stress initiative, with expenditure exceeding GH¢888 million.

Addressing Parliament on Thursday, June 18, the Minister revealed that 152,000 students received support during the 2024/2025 academic year at a cost of GH¢399 million. An additional 159,000 students have benefited under the programme in the ongoing 2025/2026 academic year, with government spending reaching GH¢489 million.

Mr. Iddrisu indicated that the policy, which was rolled out nationwide in July 2025, remains fully operational and continues to ease the financial challenges faced by students pursuing higher education.

He described the initiative as a key social intervention introduced by President John Dramani Mahama to expand access to tertiary education and lessen the financial pressures on students and their families through targeted support.

The Education Minister further disclosed that 610 students enrolled at the Ghana School of Law have also received assistance through the Students’ Loan Trust Fund.

Touching on support for persons with disabilities at the pre-tertiary level, Mr. Iddrisu stated that 1,530 students benefited from full tuition and residential fee coverage during the 2025/2026 academic year, at a total cost of GH¢9.84 million.

He assured Parliament that all financial commitments under the No Fees Stress programme have been met, with no outstanding payments owed to beneficiaries or institutions.

According to the Minister, the successful implementation of the policy has been made possible through the timely release of funds by the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, ensuring the sustainability of the programme across the country.