Professor Ransford Gyampo of the University of Ghana has expressed a cautious openness to John Dramani Mahama’s proposal to eliminate academic fees for level 100 students, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Gyampo’s initial reaction to the policy was one of concern. He worried that eliminating these fees might negatively impact university finances, especially given the historical decline in government subventions, which have left many universities struggling to cover operational costs beyond salaries.
However, Gyampo’s perspective shifted after Mahama’s assurances. The former president promised to promptly increase and release government subventions to compensate for the lost revenue from tuition fees.
Mahama estimates the initiative will cost between 270 and 290 million Ghanaian Cedis. Still, he also argues that this can be funded through government waste cuts and the reallocation of the presidential budget.
“In a way, I may be tempted to agree with him given what I have seen; we pay fees for people,” Gyampo said on TV3’s Key Points on August 17. He acknowledged that while the policy could relieve financial stress for many students, it also burdens universities, which need funds for more than just salaries.
Mahama has argued that the policy’s cost is manageable, citing examples of wasteful government spending that could be trimmed to fund the initiative. He emphasized that increasing and ensuring timely disbursement of university subventions would prevent any negative impact on university operations.
Gyampo noted, “My heartbeat was beating because, in a way, he is taking out a huge chunk of money from the universities to cater for other expenses.” He recognized the proposal’s practical implications, particularly in terms of the universities’ ability to cover operational costs if government funding does not improve.
Mahama has pledged to address the declining subventions by boosting them and ensuring they are provided on time, aiming to balance university budgets while supporting students financially.
This commitment has assuaged Gyampo’s concerns, leading him to consider the potential benefits of the policy for students who face financial barriers to higher education.
