PUSAG hails govt for loans to private students
The Private Universities Students’ Association of Ghana (PUSAG) has commended the government for the disbursement of loans to its members.
It said for the first time since the inception of the student loan scheme, students enrolled in private universities across the country had received full loan disbursements promptly and without delays.
"This landmark intervention, PUSAG believes, represents a bold step towards educational equity and inclusive financing for all Ghanaian students, regardless of the institutions they attend," the President of PUSAG, Ibrahim Issah, said.
He told the Daily Graphic that private students started receiving alerts last Friday and that the association was grateful.
Minister
The association also commended the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, describing him as a visionary reformer whose bold and inclusive leadership had brought hope to thousands of students and their families.
“Haruna Iddrisu has demonstrated exceptional commitment to building a fair and inclusive tertiary education system. This historic intervention proves his dedication to ensuring that no Ghanaian student is left behind,” Mr Issah said.
Acknowledging the role of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), the association also lauded the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Saajida Shiraz, for her tireless efforts and professionalism in ensuring the successful disbursement of loans.
“Her outstanding leadership and efficiency have brought much-needed relief to private university students, reaffirming SLTF’s commitment to inclusive education,” he said.
PUSAG described this achievement as more than financial support, calling it a “symbol of national unity and an investment in Ghana’s future leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs”.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Ministry of Education, SLTF, and all stakeholders to strengthen equitable access to higher education and sustain the momentum.
“This is not just about loans — it is about dignity, opportunity and empowering Ghana’s youth to pursue their dreams without financial barriers,” Issah emphasised.
Govt
Fifteen thousand first-year students in public tertiary institutions have had their academic-related fees cleared under the newly launched “No Fees Stress” policy, a sweeping intervention by President John Dramani Mahama to remove financial barriers to higher education.
At the policy launch at the SDA College of Education in Koforidua last Friday, President Mahama declared the initiative a "moral, constitutional, and developmental imperative" aimed at ensuring that no qualified Ghanaian student was denied tertiary education due to financial constraints.
The policy, effective this academic year, covers admission fees for first-year students in public universities, colleges of education, technical universities and nursing training institutions.
It comes as data reveal thousands of students annually defer or abandon their education due to unaffordable fees, which range from GH¢1,362 in colleges of education to GH¢8,000 in some universities.
"Behind each number is a name, a face, a dream deferred," President Mahama said, emphasising the urgency of the intervention.
