Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Clement Apaak opens Zonal office for the Students Loan Trust Fund in Tamale

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak has reiterated President John Dramani Mahama’s government resolve to undertaking reforms in the sector, including education financing, which has being a major barrier to many students from across the country to accessing quality education.

According to him, the introduction of policies such as the; “no-fee stress” and “no fees for Person with Disability” at the Tertiary level are parts of the government’s determination to ensuring equity and equal access in developing the country’s human capital base.

Dr. Apaak who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South, said these at the ribbon cutting and inspection of the Northern Zonal office of the Students Loan Trust fund (SLTF) in Tamale

The event attracted government functionaries, some Northern MPs and MMDCEs, representatives of tertiary institutional heads, traditional leaders, as well as selected tertiary students.

The Deputy Education Minister said as part of the NDC government’s reset agenda, which include resetting the education sector, the SLTF is also undertaking the necessary reforms, as a bridging mechanism to address geographical inequality, inefficiencies, and delays in accessing funding for educational purposes.

“The opening of the zonal office here in Tamale will deal with local applications and also reduce response time alongside offering advisory services to potential applicants, he added.

Dr. Apaak appealed to potential as well as past beneficiaries of the SLTF to endeavor to repay their loans on time to enable the fund stand the test of time.

“Your education matters to national development, however, you must uphold the principle of responsible payment,” he urged potential beneficiaries.

The Board Chairperson of SLTF, Madam Cynthia Amerley Amartefio in an address explained that having a zonal office, which takes care of the five regions of the north, is evidenced on strategic thinking to reach out to specific centres of learning, thereby cutting travel time for applicants and promoting decentralization.

Madam Amartefio said access, efficiency, accountability and inclusion were the four main drivers for such strategic decision to having a zonal office in Tamale.

Tamale North MP and Deputy Minister for Road, Alhaji Alhassan Suhuyini, alongside the Northern Regional Minister, Adolf Ali, when they took turns to address the gathering, welcome the idea of the zonal office, particularly the relieve it brings to students in the pursuit of various tertiary education, especially the financing component.

Alj. Suhuyini added that the intervention by the fund was timely and necessary, especially as it will take financial pressures off the MPs from their constituents who are pursing tertiary education.

Earlier in her welcoming address, the Chief Executive officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund, Dr. Saajida Shiraz stated that after 20 years since its establishment, the fund under the new management is being transformed and repositioned to becoming accessible, more transparent and accountable in addressing shortfalls like funding and other administrative inefficiencies that were characterized its operations under the previous administration.

She emphasized that the reforms initiated by the current government such as the “No fees stress” policy coupled with inclusivity of PWDs who get stipends in addition, are all part of strategies to creating opportunities for more Ghanaian students have access to tertiary education no matter their backgrounds, gender or physical disabilities.

Dr. Saajida said the Fund had an increase the admission fees payable to each new entrant into public tertiary institutions to 3,000 Cedis, while the interest on the loans has been cut by half from 12 percent to 6 percent.

“SLTF is making impactful and efficient change for all students in accredited public institutions whose future depends on the opportunities being created by the Mahama government,” Dr. Saajida added.

SRC President of the UDS, Moses Azure, and Ms. Braima Rafia on behalf of the disability students’ community at TaTU and elsewhere, both commended the fund for bridging access and making deliberate efforts towards the development of the human capital needs of the nation.

Story By: Nelson Adanuti Nyadror |www.diamondfmonline.com |Ghana.