The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has instructed the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to provide a clear directive to all public universities to cease any unauthorized increases in tuition fees.
This directive comes in light of reports indicating that certain universities have unilaterally raised their fees following the government’s announcement of the “No Fees Stress Policy,” which offers free tertiary education to first-year students and individuals with disabilities.
During his appearance before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Monday, November 3, 2025, Mr. Iddrisu voiced his concerns regarding some institutions taking advantage of the new policy to implement unjustified fee hikes.
“I assure you, my most significant achievement as a minister was the launch of the No Fees Stress Policy; I slept well that night because it represented a meaningful social intervention by the President,” he stated.
“Many of you MPs present here are aware of the financial burden of school fees when the time comes. However, this serves as a warning — GTEC is present. I have observed some schools raising their fees under the pretext that the government is covering them. We will not tolerate this. Therefore, ensure that you issue appropriate instructions to schools to prevent them from exploiting this situation,” he continued.
Mr. Iddrisu reiterated the government’s dedication to promoting equitable access to tertiary education, emphasizing that institutions must align with the administration’s objective of alleviating the financial strain on students and their families.
In a related matter, the minister revealed that the Ministry of Education is currently reviewing the policy that requires the closure of private universities that do not secure a presidential charter within ten years of their establishment.
He clarified that this review is a response to requests from certain private institutions seeking additional time to adequately prepare for independent operation.
