North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says that making funds available for the no-academic-fees policy for level 100 students is crucial.

He said that in 2016, then President John Mahama similarly instructed that the Student Loan Plus programme be introduced to assist students who were struggling to pay admission fees.

During the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) youth manifesto launch on August 12, the flagbearer stated that should he win power in the December polls, he would rollout a policy under which first-year tertiary students will not pay academic fees.

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And according to Ablakwa, this is part of a government initiative to lessen the burden on parents financing the cost of their children's education.

Mr Ablakwa added that it was observed that many students, despite having the necessary grades, were unable to raise the required funds.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile, Mr Ablakwa said, "I have heard people say, 'Oh, you want them to get to level 100, and then they drop out after level 200.' No, we are saying that getting in is a critical point. Once they are in, they are bona fide students. They fully qualify for all the opportunities available. We have the student loan. We have said we are going to increase the student loan so that they can apply for it."

He said that for the first year, students would receive a grant, meaning they would not have to pay admission fees, even after graduation and when they start working.

Mr Ablakwa explained that from the second year to the final year, students can access the Student Loan Trust Scheme, with the government planning to increase access to these loans.

 He said that the costing for this initiative has already been done. "The costing we have done is between 250 to 300 million cedis annually. We are saying two things must happen to the GETFund: we must uncap it, and we must stop collateralisation."