Committee on Free Tertiary Education for PWDs Holds First Meeting

The Committee tasked with developing a roadmap for the implementation of free tertiary education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) held its maiden meeting on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Ministry of Education (MoE) in Accra.

The eight-member committee, inaugurated by Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, is co-chaired by the Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, and the National President of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD), Mr. Joseph Atsu Hormadzi.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Apaak reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive education and stressed the importance of fulfilling the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and President John Mahama’s promise to provide free tertiary education for PWDs.

Mr. Hormadzi, in his address, expressed profound appreciation to the government for the initiative, describing it as a “unique and significant” intervention. He noted that many students with disabilities are currently unable to afford tuition and related fees, leaving them stranded in their academic pursuits.

“For university education, if you do not make a payment, you cannot register, and many of our students are struggling to raise funds,” he said. “We are grateful to His Excellency the President for this vision and to the Ministry for setting up this committee to make it a reality.”

READ ALSO:Fujian Jiangxia University Explores Strategic Partnership with Ghanaian Universities

Also present at the meeting was the Chief Executive Officer of the Students’ Loan Trust, Dr. Saajida Shiraz. She delivered a presentation on “Facilitating Access to Enhanced Tertiary Education Financing for Students with Disabilities,” highlighting mechanisms to support equitable access to higher education.

The committee’s work is expected to outline key strategies and implementation frameworks to ensure that all qualified PWDs in Ghana can access tertiary education without financial barriers.