The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has expressed concerns over John Dramani Mahama’s proposal to cover academic user facility fees for all first-year university students if he is elected.
UTAG believes that instead of directly paying these fees, the funds should be allocated to universities as bursaries, allowing the institutions to administer them.
In an interview on JoyNews’ PM Express, UTAG President, Professor Mahamoud Akudugu, commented, “It’s encouraging that the government wants to offer this support. However, we’re facing a significant decline in government funding for universities, with the current situation where only salaries are covered, leaving universities to handle electricity, utilities, and other expenses on their own.”
He added, “We think this policy should focus on equity. In fact, we would prefer if these funds were given as bursaries, scholarships, or grants to the universities. They are in a better position to identify and support needy students based on their records.”
On the other hand, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Inter-Party and CSO Relations for the NDC, disagreed with UTAG’s stance, arguing that it could lead to inefficiencies. He stated, “I strongly disagree because it will create room for rent-seeking…”
John Mahama, the NDC flagbearer, announced that first-year tertiary students would not have to pay academic fees under this initiative, which aims to ease the financial burden on parents funding their children’s education.
