Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof Ernest Aryeetey has advised the government to refine its free first-year tertiary education policy to focus on students with genuine financial need.

Speaking at the 20th-anniversary conference of the University of Ghana Students Financial Aid Office (SFAO) on Tuesday, July 8, he stressed the importance of equitable distribution of educational support.

The event, themed “Promoting Equity, Expanding Access, and Enhancing Aid Administration in Ghana’s Tertiary Education,” highlighted challenges in current financial aid systems.

In his keynote address, Prof. Aryeetey stressed that while expanding access to education is crucial, resources must be allocated efficiently to ensure aid reaches those who need it most.

“Some of them need it, but some don’t. Don’t waste your money on those who don’t need it. Let us find a good way of identifying those who need the money, and it is possible to identify them,” he said.

He also urged on university administrators to promote transparency in facilitating the aid application process and eliminate impediments.