The Council of the University of Ghana has approved a one-time discount of 2% on the 15% fee increment for some of its students for the 2022/2023 academic year. This decision follows an approval by Parliament for the academic year. The discounts apply to full fee-paying programmes, programmes at the Accra City Campus, and distance education programmes. The move is expected to reduce the financial burden on students, who have been grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 15% increase in fees had caused a standoff between UG Management, student leaders, National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), and Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). The latter had directed all public tertiary institutions to review fees for the next academic year by a maximum 15 percent increment. This followed numerous complaints that some universities were charging more than the 15% rate approved by Parliament, prompting GTEC’s intervention.
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Education had appealed to the University of Ghana to consider offering a discount on fees for the current academic year to alleviate the burden on students. The University Council heeded the appeal and approved the one-time discount of 2% on the 15% fee increase approved by Parliament. The move is a step in the right direction, as it shows the University’s commitment to the welfare of its students, especially during these challenging times. The University has encouraged affected students to contact the Students Accounts Office for any inquiries through their accounts.
