NDC Vows to Deliver Free Tuition for First-Year University Students Despite Criticisms

Accra, Ghana - 16 Jan, 2025 - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reiterated its pledge to provide free tuition to first-year students in public tertiary institutions. The party's MP for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak, made the commitment amidst criticism over the policy's feasibility.

In an interview on the 'Eyewitness News' on Citi Fm, Dr. Apaak stressed that the NDC's overwhelming election victory was partly due to its popular policies, including free tertiary education.

He assured that the policy would be implemented, with students free to opt out if they choose.

“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.

“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 was a flagship promise of the NDC's 2024 campaign, aimed at reducing financial barriers to higher education. Its implementation is now a top priority for the new administration.

Source: Lead News Online