They commended the proposal to enhance the accessibility of higher education, particularly for individuals encountering financial constraints.
During separate interviews with the Ghana News Agency, others expressed reservations regarding the practicality of funding the policy, given an approximate annual cost of GH₵300 million amidst the ongoing economic crisis.
At the NDC youth manifesto launch on Monday, August 12, the party’s presidential candidate, Mr John Dramani Mahama, vowed to eliminate fees for all first-year tertiary students.
This action is part of a broader educational reform agenda of the party aimed at broadening access to free quality education for all.
Mr Samuel Ansah, a first-year student pursuing a Bachelor of S
cience in Entomology and Wildlife at UCC, stated that the policy intervention would alleviate the financial burden on first-year tertiary students.
He recalled how his parents had to sell a portion of the family land to support his tertiary education just a year ago.
“This opportunity might have spared the family the financial strain. I spend approximately GHC6,000 every academic year, so this is timely,” he stated.
However, Mr Ansah raised concerns about the funding mechanism, given the prevailing economic challenges exacerbated by inflation, currency depreciation and high debt servicing costs.
Ms Dorothy Appiah Nti, a 22-year-old Bachelor of Education in Accounting student welcomed the policy.
She also cautioned against potential inefficiencies in its implementation, drawing parallels to the challenges encountered with free Senior High School (SHS).
Mr Emmanuel Essuman, a student at the School of Mechanical Engineering at CCTU, emphasised how financial constraints often hindered the transition of SHS graduates to tertiary education.
While supporting the policy, he suggested that targeted fee waivers should be provided to financially disadvantaged first-year students based on thorough research and assessments.
Similarly, Mr Kofi Abban, another student, shared his experience of how exorbitant hostel fees nearly impeded him from pursuing university education.
He underscored the importance of directing support towards needy students, noting that while some may navigate through SHS, progressing to tertiary education remained a significant challenge.
Other students raised valid questions about the sustainability of the proposed policy, particularly concerning the funding for subsequent years of education.
They recommended strengthening the Ghana Students Loan Trust Fund and addressing its current deficiencies to enhance accessibility for students.
The students also urged the party to enshrine the policy in legislation to obligate all future governments to uphold it.
GNA
