President John Mahama has justified the No Fees Stress Policy as an equity driven initiative aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education in public institutions, framing it as a constitutional obligation.
He spoke at the sod cutting ceremony for the construction of a multipurpose assembly hall and hostel block for the SDA College of Education at Asokore in the Eastern Region.
“Tertiary education, many are unable to have access, because their parents cannot afford, those who come in the first year cannot even access the student loan trust. Many delay even though they get admission. During my campaign I promised absorbing the first-year fees. That is what we called the No fees stress, I thank Ghanaians and God for giving me the mandate to do this,” he said.
He added “We came here to launch the project here at SDA College, the Principal requested for some needs, one of them is the multipurpose hall and hostel block, efforts are being made to bring the bus too, we are adding a new Prado for the Principal’s use. It’s among 29 Prado cars for colleges of education.”
The facility is expected to ease the accommodation challenges faced by students.
SRC President of the SDA College of Education, Thomas Essien, said the project would ease congestion.
“Some rooms are overcrowded, with as many as 16 students sharing a place, those who are lucky have about four or five in a room. This project would indeed solve our accommodation needs,” he said.
By Yvonne Neequaye
