Dr. Emmanuel Appoh Mensah Commends President Mahama for Launching Free Tertiary Education Initiative for Persons with Disabilities

By Joylinda Laryea / 28th October 2025,

Renowned human rights and gender activist, Dr. Emmanuel Appoh Mensah, has applauded H.E. John Dramani Mahama, for launching the Free Tertiary Education Initiative for Persons with Disabilities, describing it as a landmark step toward equality, inclusion, and empowerment in Ghana’s education system.

The initiative, unveiled by President Mahama in Accra, will be implemented through a revamped and fully digitalised Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) a mechanism designed to ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in providing financial support to students with disabilities.

Speaking at the launch, President Mahama emphasized that the programme represents a moral and constitutional commitment to fairness and inclusion, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to ensuring that no Ghanaian is left behind in the pursuit of education.

“This initiative is not an act of charity; it is an act of justice and equality,” President Mahama declared.

He explained that the government is consolidating existing disability scholarships previously administered by the National Service Authority  into a new Universal Disability Scholarship Scheme under the SLTF, thereby creating a unified and accessible system for all eligible students.

“With this launch, we are integrating the scholarships previously managed by the National Scholarship Authority into a single, modern, and efficient system under the Students Loan Trust Fund,” he added.

Dr. Emmanuel Appoh Mensah, reacting to the announcement, praised the initiative as a transformative policy that aligns with the global commitment to inclusive education under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“This is a progressive and visionary policy that recognizes education as a right, not a privilege,” Dr. Appoh Mensah stated. “By removing financial barriers, President Mahama is giving persons with disabilities the tools to build dignified and independent futures.”

He also called for strong stakeholder collaboration between educational institutions, disability advocacy groups, and the SLTF to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the programme.

The digitalisation of the Students Loan Trust Fund, according to President Mahama, will enable real-time application processing, verification, and disbursement  reducing bureaucratic delays that have long hindered access to financial support for students.

The initiative is expected to broaden access to tertiary education for thousands of students with disabilities nationwide, offering them a fair chance to pursue higher education and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The launch of the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities marks a milestone in Ghana’s social and educational policy landscape. It signals a shift from tokenistic support to a systemic, rights-based approach to inclusion and empowerment.