Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tamale South, announced the government will cover first-year university admission fees. He made this announcement on January 20, 2025, during his vetting by the appointment committee.
Specifically, President John Mahama’s administration has allocated GHC345 million to cover admission fees for students entering public universities. Hon. Iddrisu assured parents that those who already paid will receive reimbursements.
He clarified that tuition fees are free for all public university students. Therefore, the government aims to ease the burden of admission fees, covering the first and second semesters of the academic year. Parents will only pay from the second year onwards.
The policy currently applies to undergraduate students pursuing standard academic courses, excluding professional courses like medicine. Hon. Iddrisu mentioned that the policy’s impact will be assessed for potential future expansion.
This initiative fulfills a key campaign promise made by President Mahama during the 2024 elections. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) prioritized reducing financial burdens on parents, recognizing that admission fees are a major expense when enrolling in public universities.
Many Ghanaians, especially parents, have welcomed this move as significant relief. By covering a large portion of educational expenses, the government aims to make higher education more accessible and reduce financial pressures on families.
