First-year university students who have paid fees will be refunded – Haruna Iddrisu

The Education Minister-designate, Haruna Iddrisu, has revealed that the government will make refunds to first-year university students who have already paid fees as part of the free tertiary tuition policy.

Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 20, for his vetting, Mr. Iddrisu said the government would need approximately GH₵345 million to implement the proposed policy.

He added that parents willing to pay tuition fees for their wards could do so.

However, do that despite the government’s plan to cater to all first-year students.

“The country will require about ₵345 million for the population of students who enter tertiary institutions; that is what the state will be required to do. We intend to provide that money to the affected universities, at least, to make refunds to those who have already paid fees.

“The beauty of this is that parents who are willing to pay can do so under this policy that has been introduced by the NDC,” he stated.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by President John Mahama, pledged to implement the free tertiary tuition policy during their 2024 campaign, aiming to ease the financial burden on students and their families while promoting greater access to higher education.

In fulfilment of this promise, the Education Minister-designate pledged to see the policy through and ensure its effective implementation.

The Tamale South MP also assured of his commitment to bridging the education access gap in northern Ghana.

“It’s important to recognise that as a country, there is a north-south divide when it comes to access to education,” he noted.