The Director of Corporate Communications at the Student Loans Trust, Obeng Agyenim Boateng, has allayed fears of some first-year students struggling to access their re-imbursement of the “No fees stress” policy promised by President John Dramani Mahama.
Obeng Agyenim Boateng told 3news on August 18 that there are some teething challenges with the registration process, but President Mahama will honour his promise to the remaining students.
He was reacting to concerns that some 50,000 first-year students of public tertiary institutions who applied for the academic fee reimbursement under the “No fees stress” policy have still not received their money.
Out of the 140,000 applicants who accessed the portal since it was opened, some 49,000 have received their reimbursement but according to the Director of Corporate Communications, Obeng Agyenim Boateng, 120,000 students across the country have been successfully paid various sums of up to GHC 2,500.
He explained students who have been validated have gone through the portal.
“We pay through accredited programmes in the institution so if you choose a programme other than the one recorded in your institution, there will be challenges,” he explained.
The Director of Corporate Communications also said some people experienced difficulties due to disparities in the names on their Ghana card.
“You will see Kwaku Osei Manu on the Ghana Card but in applying you see Kwaku Manu and so it becomes difficult to re-imburse such a person,” Mr Boateng said.
He also mentioned that other problems stem from that fact many students who applied are pursuing unaccredited programmes.
“Until now, 200,000 students have applied, and we want to assure every Ghanaian student that their monies will be re-imbursed in no time,” he assured.
The No Fees Stress policy is a campaign promise by the NDC to ensure that no eligible Ghanaian student is prevented from gaining access to tertiary education due to financial hardship.
The initiative provides support for the payment of admission and registration fees for students entering public tertiary institutions, with consideration for those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, including persons with physical challenges.
