Speaking at the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disability launch on Friday, President John Dramani Mahama characterised the policy as a moral obligation rather than a charitable gesture.
“Each student supported under this policy becomes an asset to our nation. A potential engineer, a teacher, an entrepreneur, a farmer or an innovator. Their success will strengthen Ghana’s economy and enrich our collective humanity,” President Mahama said.
He continued by saying that the policy is a calculated investment in Ghana’s most precious asset: its people, with the goal of ensuring that everyone has equitable access to higher education, especially those with disabilities.
It served as a reminder, according to Mr. Mahama, that a country’s spirit is determined by how it handles its most defenceless inhabitants.
“Today, we gather to mark a new and defining moment in Ghana’s journey towards inclusion and equality.”
President Mahama cited former South African President Nelson Mandela when he stated: “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens but its lowest ones.”
More than two million Ghanaians live with impairments, according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, President Mahama announced. But he said that there are actual human stories hidden behind this statistic and figure.
“Stories of perseverance, of talent waiting to be nurtured and of dreams that deserve to be fulfilled. Too many still face barriers of poverty, of stigma, of lack of access to education and livelihood opportunities,” he continued.
He called on all parties involved, especially business Ghana, to consciously work towards advancing inclusion in all contexts.
“Our collective task, therefore, is to ensure that no Ghanaian is denied the chance to learn, to work and to serve because of disability. Ghana has not been idle in this effort.”
According to President Mahama, his government started changing the educational ethos of the nation in 2015 when it implemented the Inclusive Education Policy, which allowed students with disabilities to attend regular schools.
“Today, we are advancing that vision one bold step further. The Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities Initiative fulfils a pledge I made to the people of Ghana to make higher education accessible to all, regardless of financial condition or circumstances,” the president stated.
The President clarified that the updated Student Loan Trust Fund, which has been modernised and digitalised to guarantee transparency, efficiency, and sustainability, will spearhead the implementation.
He also revealed that a modest scholarship for people with impairments had previously been offered by the Scholarship Secretariat.
The scholarship package will be incorporated into the new universal disability scholarship under the Student Loan Trust Fund with the introduction of the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities.
According to President Mahama’s direction, GETFUND would provide GHS 50 million annually to support the Student Loan Trust Fund and the no-fees-stress policy, said Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu (MP).
Source: newsthemegh.com