The Director of Communications for the Bawumia campaign has raised concerns regarding the free first-year student fees policy proposed by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to Dennis Miracles Aboagye, it is inconsistent for the NDC to claim they can afford to cover fees for first-year tertiary students while having previously questioned the governing New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Free SHS policy, which the NPP has successfully implemented.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, August 12, Aboagye said, “The party that says that they cannot pay for you when you’re poor to go to secondary education says that when you manage to get through secondary education on your own, however, you get to do it – when you get to the university, they can pay for you. Does it make sense?”
“I’m poor, I have completed basic education, I cannot continue my secondary education – you say I’m not interested in paying for you but if you hustle to get through secondary education, then I will pay for you at the university level,” he stressed.
His remarks come after the flagbearer of the NDC and former president, John Mahama said that first-year tertiary students will not pay academic fees, adding that it is part of a government initiative to lessen the burden on parents financing the cost of their children’s education.
“We will implement a no-fees stress programme to alleviate the financial burden on parents and students in financing tertiary education. We will implement a no academic fees policy at the university for level 100 students,” he said.
Mr Aboagye questioned NDC’s policy, specifically how poor or needy students would continue their education after completing their first year of university.
“I’m poor, I have gone through free senior education, I have gained university education – you said you would pay for me when I finish my level 100, and I’m going to level 200, what happens to me?
“You’re leaving my fate because the policy is quite clear – level 100 fee payment but university education is four years. I’m poor,.. you’ve paid for my level 100, how do I complete levels 200, 300, 400 – on my own?” he asked.
The Director of Communications emphasised that the primary concern when any policy is proposed is how it will be implemented.
He noted that, the feasibility of the policy would determine whether Ghanaians see it as sensible or merely a strategy to gain political votes.
Mr Aboagye acknowledged the importance of supporting vulnerable or needy individuals but questioned the sincerity and honesty behind the NDC’s promised policy.
“So I just read from the Director of Policy of the NDC when he’s clarifying that what they are seeking to do is to use an enhanced and responsive student loan scheme to pay for this level hundred fees.”
“So they have the announcement saying that we will make level 100 fees-free and you have the policy director saying it is not entirely free and we are going to use the student loan trust scheme,” he said.