Dr. Solomon Kwarteng Forkuo, Lecturer at Kumasi Technical University
A Senior lecturer at Kumasi Technical University, Dr. Solomon Kwarteng Forkuo, is calling on the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and the government to abolish the fee-paying system for selected academic programs in Ghana’s public tertiary institutions arguing that it allows only the wealthy to access top-tier programs, regardless of merit, while intelligent students from underprivileged backgrounds are excluded.
He argues that the current arrangement is discriminatory and undermines equal access to higher education.
Dr. Kwarteng Forkuo explained that the policy unfairly limits poor but academically gifted students from accessing competitive and professional programs such as medicine, pharmacy, and engineering.
“Some students have the grades, the talent, and the drive, but simply cannot afford the cost. That’s not how a just educational system should work,” he said.
He further questioned why such financial barriers exist in public universities that are already funded by taxpayers’ money.
Dr. Kwarteng Forkuo made the call during an interview on Otec FM morning show “Nyansapo,” hosted by Kwaku Owusu Boateng on Friday, July 11, 2025.
According to him, making students pay extra fees for specific programs contradicts the purpose of state-funded education.
“The fee-paying system allows only the wealthy to access top-tier programs, regardless of merit, while intelligent students from underprivileged backgrounds are excluded,” Dr. Forkuo stated.
Dr Kwarteng Forkuo, who is also the Head of Entrepreneurship and Incubation Unit at the KsTU, believes this system perpetuates inequality and kills the dreams of many promising youth.
He urged the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to take immediate steps to review and scrap the fee-paying system for selected programs in public institutions.
“Education must be a tool for equal opportunity, not a privilege reserved for the rich,” he added.
Dr. Kwarteng Forkuo concluded by emphasizing that “ending this policy will strengthen our human resource base and affirm Ghana’s commitment to equitable development.”
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
