- Mahama to cut Akufo-Addo's budget to fund free university fees.
- Initiative to cost GH₵270-290 million, less than presidency's budget.
- Mahama cites wasteful spending in presidency, including travel costs.
- No fee stress policy" to help first-year students, with increased subventions.
John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has announced plans to cut President Akufo-Addo’s excessive budget to fund the ‘no academic fees’ initiative for first-year university students. Mahama revealed that the initiative would cost between GH₵270 and GH₵290 million, a significantly lower amount compared to the presidency’s budget of GH₵2 billion.
He made this statement while addressing a gathering at Juapong on Tuesday, emphasizing the need to prioritize education over excessive government spending. Mahama highlighted the presidency’s wasteful spending, citing the president’s travel budget of GH₵69 million in just nine months and a cabinet retreat that cost almost GH₵5 million.
He argued that cutting waste in the system, particularly in the office of the president’s budget, could raise enough money to fund the ‘no academic fees’ initiative. The office of the president’s budget alone is GH₵2 billion annually, which Mahama believes can be reduced to support the initiative.
Mahama’s ‘no fee stress policy’ aims to alleviate the financial burden on first-year students, ensuring they can focus on their studies without worrying about fees. The policy will not affect government subventions to universities and institutions of higher learning, which have been declining over the years.
Mahama promised to increase subventions and ensure timely payment to universities, enabling them to balance their budgets. By prioritizing education and cutting excessive spending, Mahama’s administration aims to make higher education more accessible and affordable for Ghanaian students.
