By: Deborah Amewoyi
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye has disclosed that the no fee stress initiative which is designed to facilitate the disbursement of fees for first year tertiary students in the various universities across the country will be limited to public institutions.
During a media interaction on TV3’s Keypoint, the minister disclosed that in the interim only tertiary students from the public institutions can apply for the aid. “public tertiary institutions for now I must clarify, maybe in the future we can think of subventing” he stated.
Data from the Ministry of Education has indicated that the no fee stress initiative since its inception three weeks ago have registered aproximately 5,000 students throughout public universities in the country. Felix Ofosu Kwakye added that despite the compilation of students information that the scheme receives from the various tertiary institutions, the portal provides a platform where students information are verified in order to cover up loopholes.
“All students who have registered with their universities must also register on the new portal NoFeesStress.sltf.gov.gh or www.slftf.gov.gh, Once your information is verified and your bank account details are confirmed, the money will be sent directly to you.” he said.
Additionally, all freshers across public tertiary institutions in the country are to create a compulsory bank account with Ghana Commercial Bank GCB, in order to facilitate disbursements.
Regarding refund to students who have already settled their fees, Ofosu Kwakye revealed that all fees will be refunded into students bank accounts.
“the portal has been created, it was launched three weeks ago so the moment you register and your account details are verified, it will be sent to” he said affirmatively.
Significantly, the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) scheme has disbursed loans to a total of 5,667 students in both private and public tertiary institutions amounting to 31,659 disbursements for the current academic year.
The move, according to management is in a bid to honor H.E John Mahama’s commitment to providing an all inclusive educational opportunities to everyone students.
