The Tertiary students confederacy (TESCON) of Accra Technical University, ATU has taken a swipe at President John Dramani Mahama for failing to honour his promise of providing free tuition for level 100 students in his 120-Day Social Contract with Ghanaians.
Speaking at a press conference today, May 9, 2025, President for TESCON ATU, Jeffery Jackson stated that the President has failed the students and Ghanaians as a whole
According to him, the government announced the allocation of GH₵499.8 million to support first-year students in public tertiary institutions under a ‘No Academic Fee’ policy. This promise was celebrated as a bold and progressive step, one that offered struggling families and vulnerable students a glimmer of hope amid rising living costs and economic pressure.
He added that for Level 100 students, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the promise of free tuition brought relief.
Many enrolled in universities with the understanding that government support would cover their academic fees.
Acting in good faith, these students took loans, delayed other financial commitments, and made painful sacrifices, all with the belief that help was on its way.
“Months have passed, and the financial support remains a phantom promise. There has been no reimbursement, no clarification, and no sense of urgency from the authorities. Students continue to face eviction threats, denial of access to academic resources, and in some cases, disqualification from writing exams due to unpaid fees.”
“This is not just disappointing, it is a betrayal of trust. It dishonors the aspirations of thousands of young Ghanaians and undermines the very principles of social justice and accountability. Education is not a privilege, it is a right. A government that claims to prioritize youth and inclusivity cannot continue to make promises it has no intention of keeping”, Jackson emphasized
