The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to issue a firm instruction to all public universities to immediately stop any unauthorised increases in tuition fees.
This directive comes after reports that some universities had arbitrarily raised their fees following the government’s introduction of the “No Fees Stress Policy.” The policy offers free tertiary education for first-year students and persons with disabilities, as part of the government’s broader effort to make higher education more accessible.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Monday, November 3, 2025, Mr. Iddrisu expressed concern that some institutions were exploiting the new policy to impose unjustified fee adjustments.
> “Believe me, my most impactful launch as a minister was when the No Fees Stress Policy was launched. I had a good sleep that day because this was a truly impactful social intervention of the President,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu cautioned universities against taking advantage of the policy to inflate fees, warning that such actions undermine the spirit of the initiative.
> “Many of you MPs here know how much you spend on paying school fees when the time comes. But this is a caution — GTEC is here. I have seen some schools increasing their fees because the government said it is absorbing them. We will not accept that. So make sure you issue consequential instructions to schools not to take advantage of that,” he added.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to tertiary education, emphasizing that all institutions must align with the administration’s goal of reducing the financial burden on students and families.
Private University Policy Under Review
In a related development, Mr. Iddrisu disclosed that the Ministry of Education is reviewing the policy requiring private universities to obtain a presidential charter within ten years of their establishment.
He explained that the review follows appeals from some private institutions seeking additional time to fully prepare for independent operations. The move, according to the Minister, aims to promote fairness and sustainability in the private tertiary education sector.
Story : Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku