The Campus Association of Students with Special Needs has welcomed the introduction of free tertiary education for persons with disabilities under John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
The policy, announced in the 2025 Budget Statement by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on Tuesday, March 11, replaces the previous bursary system, which provided financial assistance for academic and residential fees through the Scholarship Secretariat.
Speaking to Citi News, the President of the association, Godsway Dzornu, expressed optimism that the new initiative would ensure timely financial support, unlike the delays experienced under the Scholarship Secretariat.
“This initiative, if implemented, will go a long way to help us as special needs students because sometimes our needs are expensive, making it difficult for caregivers and parents to support us. Additionally, the Scholarship Secretariat often delays the release of bursaries,” he said.
“Even last year, we did not receive our bursary due to a lack of funds. I believe this new system, though yet to be implemented, will be an improvement over the previous one.”
The initiative is expected to ease the financial burden on students with disabilities and improve access to higher education.
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