Mahama promises ‘progressively free tertiary education’

President John Dramani Mahama says the country under his watch is inching closer to making tertiary education free, given the investments made.

He indicated that as Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increases, tertiary education would be free.

Addressing students of the University of Cape Coast on Wednesday as part of his five-day tour of the Central Region, President Mahama said government is investing heavily in tertiary education in order to make teaching and learning easier.

Government is currently running a free senior high school education policy, which some elements in the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) say was poorly implemented. According to the NPP, the original idea was popularized by its flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

But the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has insisted that the policy was already captured in the country’s constitution, which recommends a progressively free education.

President Mahama in his address on Wednesday night said the free education policy will be extended to the tertiary level as GDP grows.

“I wish to assure you that as Ghana’s GDP continues to grow and as we continue to make wealth, we will continue to make tertiary education progressively free so that you pay less fees.”

He said the investment on the University of Cape Coast campus alone is enough piece of evidence as regards what government is expending in the sector.

He also asked students to disregard reports that they will pay utility bills while on campus.