Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has tasked the newly inaugurated Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) Board with ensuring fair and equitable distribution of funds to all eligible tertiary students across Ghana.
He urged the Board to allocate funds in a fair, open, transparent, and meritorious manner, devoid of any untoward situations. Mr. Iddrisu made these remarks on Tuesday while inaugurating a 13-member Board of Trustees of the Students Loan Trust Fund in Accra.
He described the inauguration as timely, aligning with President Mahama’s reset agenda policy of the “No-Fees-Stress” initiative. The 2025 budget allocated GH¢499.8 million for the ‘No-Academic-Fee‘ policy, which eliminates admission, registration, tuition, and academic facility fees for first-year students in tertiary institutions.
“There is no intention by the government to change that policy. What President Mahama is emphasising is that no student should suffer getting admission,” Mr Iddrisu said. He added that the government was considering expanding the student loan scheme to include private university students who face challenges due to their inability to gain admission into public universities.
“I understand that an amount of GH¢60 million has been allocated for the Student Loan Trust Fund this year, which is woefully inadequate. “If we anticipate expanding it to cover other students in other institutions, especially the private universities, I will have no hesitation in putting that into your 2026 formula. We will double this amount to 150 million so that you can expand your remit,” he said.
He urged the Board to enhance operational efficiency, improve repayment mechanisms, and explore creative funding models through public-private partnerships. The Minister also launched the ‘No Fees Policy Portal’ to provide students, families, and institutions with comprehensive information on eligibility and institutional coverage of beneficiaries.
Ms. Cynthia Amerley Amarteifio, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the opportunity and pledged to uphold the ideals of integrity while ensuring no student was left behind. Other Board members include Dr. Emmanuel Newman, representing the Ministry of Education; Mr. Agyemang Mohammed, from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust; and Professor Afishata Mohammed Abujaja, representing the National Council for Tertiary Education.
Madam Charlotte Otuwa Odum, Mr. Richard Kwadwo Nyarko, and Ms. Janet A. Anore are government-appointed representatives.
Source: GNA
