Kwasi Kwarteng, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its pledge to offer free academic fees to Level 100 students.
He described the policy as inconsistent and unnecessary, pointing out that the current ‘No Guarantor’ policy already provides students with financial relief.
His remarks came in response to the NDC’s promise that if it wins the 2024 general elections, it will eliminate academic fees for first-year students at all public universities in Ghana.
The NDC argued that this policy would remove a significant financial barrier preventing many talented students from accessing higher education.
During the Point Blank segment on Eyewitness News, Mr. Kwarteng questioned the reasoning behind the NDC’s proposal.
“I don’t know why he promises that [Free academic fees for level 100 students]. Already, it is a policy that exists. The ‘no guarantor’ policy is essentially even up to your final year; all you need to do is apply.
“What essentially the NDC meant was that first year you are not going to pay fees. We probe further on where they are going to get the money from and they are saying that from student loans and at the end of the day the student is going to pay.
“But granted without even admitting that it is free within the context of the government taking the entire fees, who pays for the second year, and who pays for the third year and the fourth year? it demonstrates that it is just a limping policy. Such a policy logically is not consistent,” he stated.
