The Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaak, has stated that the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) free tuition policy for first-year students in public universities will not be mandatory.

Dr Apaak, who previously served as the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, made this clarification in response to questions about the policy’s implementation.

Speaking on the subject in an interview with Citi FM on Wednesday, January 15, Dr Apaak stated that individuals who do not wish to benefit from the programme would have the option to opt out.

“That is an opinion. In any case, it is not going to be by compulsion. If there are persons who feel that they don’t need it and would not want to be beneficiaries of this arrangement, they are free to opt-out,” he explained.

Dr Apaak reaffirmed the NDC’s commitment to fulfilling this campaign promise, noting its role in securing public support during the elections.

He said, “As far as this is a manifesto promise made by John Mahama and the NDC to the people of Ghana, based on which we are now in government, we intend to carry it through.”

The free tuition policy is part of the NDC’s broader agenda to make education more accessible and reduce financial barriers for students entering tertiary institutions.