The Government’s innovative “No Fee Stress” portal has achieved a significant milestone, with over 41,647 students successfully completing their registration. This initiative, spearheaded by the government to eliminate admission and facility user fees for first-year students, is revolutionizing access to tertiary education in Ghana.
Providing an update via his official Facebook page on May 21, 2025, Minister of Government Communication Felix Kwakye Ofosu also disclosed that the portal had been accessed by a total of 57,327 students. He highlighted the portal’s critical role in collecting banking details to facilitate the reimbursement process for students who have already paid their fees.
The Registration Process
The “No Fee Stress” portal, launched on April 30, 2025, simplifies the application for the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), which now absorbs admission and facility user fees for all eligible first-year students. To apply, students must:
- Visit NoFeesStress.sltf.gov.gh or www.sltf.gov.gh.
- Provide their Ghana Card Identification number, telephone number, and student ID number.
- Verify their identity by entering their Ghana Card number and taking a selfie on the “CAPTURE PAGE” for biometric confirmation.
Government Commitment to Youth
The program is a fulfillment of a promise outlined in the Youth Manifesto titled “The Pledge: The John Mahama 2024 Pledge to Young People.” The document affirms, “We will implement a no-fees stress programme to alleviate the financial burden on parents and students in financing tertiary education. We will implement a ‘No Academic Fees’ policy at the university for level 100 students.”
The policy is part of the government’s broader commitment to reducing financial barriers to education, ensuring equitable opportunities for all Ghanaian youth.
Financial Backing
During his vetting on January 20, 2025, Minister-Designate for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, assured Parliament’s Appointments Committee that the government had budgeted GHC345 million for refunding admission fees. He emphasized that Finance Minister-Designate Dr. Ato Forson would oversee the allocation once approved, ensuring that all affected students receive timely reimbursements.
“We understand the financial strain on families and are committed to fulfilling our promise. Students who have already paid their fees will receive refunds promptly,” Haruna Iddrisu affirmed.
Encouragement to Register
Kwakye Ofosu urged all first-year students to register on the portal to validate data provided by public tertiary institutions. He emphasized that this step is vital for seamless processing of reimbursements and ensuring the integrity of the program.
The “No Fee Stress” initiative represents a transformative step towards accessible education in Ghana, promising relief for thousands of students and their families while paving the way for a more inclusive educational landscape.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
