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The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has expressed concerns over former President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge to cover academic user facility fees for all level 100 students if he is elected into power. UTAG suggests that, instead of directly paying the fees, the funds should be allocated to universities as bursaries to be managed by the institutions themselves.
During an interview on JoyNews’ PM Express, UTAG President, Professor Mahamoud Akudugu, acknowledged the government’s intention but highlighted the current financial struggles faced by universities due to declining government funding. He noted that universities are now responsible for covering their own utility bills and other expenses, beyond just salaries. Professor Akudugu argued that the policy should be more targeted, suggesting that universities could better identify needy students and distribute the funds accordingly.
However, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Inter-Party and CSO Relations for the NDC, disagreed with UTAG’s proposal. He argued that distributing the funds as bursaries could lead to rent-seeking behavior, implying that such a system might be susceptible to corruption or misuse.
Mahama’s pledge to cover academic fees for first-year tertiary students is part of the NDC’s broader effort to reduce the financial burden on parents and support access to higher education.
