Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak has reiterated the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) commitment to delivering its free tuition policy for first-year students in public tertiary institutions.
This statement comes amid criticism from some stakeholders, including Former Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (Rtd), who recently questioned the policy’s feasibility.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement at O’Reilly Senior High School, the retired Chief of Defence Staff suggested that parents should be prepared to shoulder the financial responsibilities of tertiary education.
Responding to the concerns in an interview on Eyewitness News, Dr. Apaak reaffirmed the NDC’s resolve to fulfill its campaign promise.
“John Dramani Mahama and the NDC campaigned vehemently, and if for nothing at all, the magnitude of the NDC’s victory in terms of parliamentary seats and the gap between our candidate, now President, and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Vice President, should be a testament that this, among many other worthy and accepted policies, accounted for the overwhelming support we have received. So, we intend to proceed with the promise made by John Dramani Mahama and the NDC to support students in tertiary institutions with their fees,” he stated.
He further clarified that the policy would not be mandatory, allowing those uninterested in benefiting from it to opt out.
“That is an opinion. In any case, it is not going to be by compulsion. If there are persons who feel that they don’t need it and would not want to be beneficiaries of this arrangement, they are free to opt-out. But as far as this is a manifesto promise made by John Mahama and the NDC to the people of Ghana, based on which we are now in government, we intend to carry it through,” Dr. Apaak emphasised.
The free tuition policy for first-year students was a flagship promise of the NDC’s 2024 campaign, designed to reduce financial barriers to higher education.
As the administration begins its term, this pledge remains a top priority for implementation.
Amin Adam has inspired confidence in Ghana’s economic future – IMF boss
