Students Loan Trust Fund Announces Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities

The Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) has announced that persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Ghana will now enjoy free tertiary education, with the government absorbing all academic fees. The decision, confirmed by the SLTF on Wednesday, marks a historic milestone in Ghana’s commitment to accessible higher education and empowerment for all citizens, regardless of physical or mental challenges.

According to the statement released by the Fund, the new initiative forms part of government efforts to eliminate financial barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from pursuing tertiary education. The program will cover tuition, registration, examination, and facility user fees, effectively ensuring that PWDs can access university, college, and technical education without financial constraints.

The Executive Director of the Students Loan Trust Fund, Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah, described the policy as “a game-changer in Ghana’s educational landscape.” He explained that while previous interventions focused on providing soft loans and deferred payment systems, this new policy goes a step further by fully funding tertiary education for all persons registered under the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD).

“Education is the foundation for empowerment. This policy ensures that no Ghanaian with a disability is denied the opportunity to contribute to national development because of financial difficulty,” Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah stated.

The move aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which Ghana ratified in 2012, and reflects the global call to make education inclusive and equitable by 2030 under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4).

Under the new arrangement, eligible students will be identified and verified through the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and GFD. Each student must present valid disability certification and proof of admission to an accredited tertiary institution in Ghana.

The SLTF will directly pay all approved academic fees to the institutions to ensure transparency and accountability. In addition, beneficiaries will receive a modest stipend to support accommodation, transportation, and assistive learning materials.

Officials revealed that an initial GH₵50 million has been allocated to kickstart the policy in the 2025/2026 academic year, with plans to scale up funding through government budgetary support and partnerships with international development organizations.

Data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) indicates that less than 2% of tertiary students in Ghana identify as persons with disabilities. Experts attribute this low representation to financial difficulties, accessibility challenges, and social stigma.

Education analyst Dr. Kofi Asare praised the initiative, calling it “a bold and compassionate intervention that could redefine inclusion in Ghana’s higher education sector.” “We’ve long known that many brilliant students with disabilities are unable to continue their studies beyond SHS due to high costs. This policy directly tackles that gap. But beyond paying fees, the state must also ensure that campuses are disability-friendly and supportive,” Dr. Asare added.

For members of the disability community, the announcement has been met with overwhelming joy. Josephine Adjei, a visually impaired student at the University of Education, Winneba, shared that she nearly dropped out last semester due to financial struggles. “When I heard the news, I cried. Paying school fees has always been a huge challenge for my parents. Now, I can focus on my dream of becoming a teacher without worrying about money,” she said.

Similarly, the President of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD), Yaw Ofori Debrah, commended the government and SLTF for “listening to the cries of a long-marginalized group.” “This is not charity; it is justice. Every person, disabled or not, deserves equal access to education. The next step is ensuring effective implementation across all tertiary institutions,” Ofori Debrah remarked.

Several advocacy groups and policymakers have described the policy as a timely and visionary move. The Ministry of Education emphasized that inclusive education remains a core part of its reform agenda. In a press briefing, Deputy Education Minister Rev. John Ntim Fordjour said the decision reinforces the ministry’s goal of achieving “an equitable and barrier-free education system for all.” “This intervention directly supports Ghana’s Education Strategic Plan and ensures that students with disabilities are not left behind as we expand access to tertiary education,” Rev. Fordjour noted.

The National Council on Tertiary Education (NCTE) and Vice-Chancellors Ghana have also pledged to cooperate with the SLTF to make the policy successful. Universities and colleges have been urged to create accessible infrastructure, digital learning tools, and tailored support services for students with special needs.

The introduction of free tertiary education for PWDs is expected to have long-term socio-economic benefits. By enabling more persons with disabilities to acquire higher education and professional skills, Ghana hopes to strengthen inclusion in the workforce and reduce poverty among vulnerable groups.

Economist Dr. Priscilla Adjei Boateng commented that the move could boost national productivity and innovation: “When people with disabilities gain education, they contribute intellectually, socially, and economically. It’s an investment in human capital that will pay off in productivity and social cohesion.”

The SLTF has indicated that a monitoring and evaluation framework will be established to track the progress of beneficiaries, ensuring accountability and measuring impact. A dedicated helpdesk for students with disabilities will also be set up to assist with registration, documentation, and accessibility concerns.

While the announcement has been widely celebrated, experts caution that sustained funding and infrastructure upgrades are critical to its success. They recommend that government involve private sector partners, donor agencies, and NGOs to strengthen the program’s sustainability.

The SLTF’s decision to provide free tertiary education for persons with disabilities represents a monumental stride toward a fairer and more inclusive Ghana. It signals a paradigm shift, from charity-based support to empowerment through education and sets a precedent for other African countries striving for inclusive growth.

As implementation begins in the upcoming academic year, many are optimistic that this policy will not only transform individual lives but also redefine the nation’s collective vision of equality, opportunity, and justice.

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