Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting accessible, research-focused, and independent tertiary education in Ghana.
Addressing the 58th Special Congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Saturday, June 28, 2025, she outlined major policy initiatives aimed at transforming the country’s higher education sector.
Among the key announcements was the forthcoming launch of the No Fees Stress Policy, a new government program intended to ease the financial burden on first-year students in public tertiary institutions.
“The No Fees Stress Policy, aimed at easing financial burdens for first-year public tertiary students, has already recorded nearly 130,000 applicants and is set to be officially launched on July 4th,” she revealed.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang also emphasised the government’s continuous support for academic research through the operationalisation of the National Research Fund Act, which she noted was first promoted under the Mahama administration in 2016.
“Government is equally committed to the National Research Fund Act, which we first promoted in 2016,” she noted, pointing to ongoing investments in innovation and research excellence.
Beyond funding, she reinforced President Mahama’s commitment to preserving academic freedom and institutional autonomy while maintaining effective oversight through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
“H.E. Mahama also remains committed to upholding academic freedom and institutional autonomy, while ensuring regulatory compliance through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission.”
Addressing the graduating class, the Vice President encouraged the new graduates to step into the world with purpose and leadership.
“I urge the graduates to carry the spirit of innovation and responsibility into the world. Ghana is counting on their leadership and drive to shape a brighter future.”
She also took time to thank those behind the scenes—lecturers, staff, families, and guardians—for playing crucial roles in preparing the graduates for this milestone.
“My thanks go to faculty, administrators, staff, parents, and guardians for the roles they played in preparing the students for this milestone.”
Concluding her speech with a message of hope and faith, she said:
“May the good Lord bless all our graduates, our institutions of learning, and our beloved nation, Ghana.”
