Ghana Launches Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities: A Step Toward Equality

Ghana has taken a bold step toward inclusion. President John Dramani Mahama launched the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities on Friday, describing it as a moral duty, not an act of charity.
He emphasized that every student supported under the policy becomes an asset to the nation. “Their success strengthens Ghana’s economy and enriches our shared humanity,” he said. According to the President, this Ghana free tertiary education initiative is a strategic investment in the country’s most valuable resource — its people.

A Vision of Inclusion and Equality

President Mahama reminded the nation that its true strength lies in how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. Quoting Nelson Mandela, he said, “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens but its lowest ones.”
He noted that more than two million Ghanaians live with disabilities. Behind these numbers are real people — with talent, determination, and dreams that deserve fulfillment.
“Too many still face barriers of poverty, stigma, and lack of access to education,” he said, calling on all sectors, including corporate Ghana, to promote inclusion.

From Policy to Action

President Mahama highlighted earlier efforts, including the 2015 Inclusive Education Policy, which opened mainstream schools to learners with disabilities. “Today, we are advancing that vision one bold step further,” he stated. The new initiative will be managed by the modernized Student Loan Trust Fund to ensure transparency and sustainability. The Scholarship Secretariat’s disability grants will now merge into a single universal scholarship program.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu announced that GETFUND will contribute GHS 50 million annually to support the initiative and reduce financial stress for students. This milestone marks a new chapter in Ghana’s pursuit of equality ensuring no citizen is left behind in education and opportunity.