Dr. Abdul Samed Muntaka, a notable youth advocate and researcher, has raised concerns about the practicality of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) recent pledge to offer free academic fees for all first-year students.
In an interview on Accra-based 3FM, Dr Muntaka warned that delays in government funding could lead to significant challenges for universities.
He argued that universities rely heavily on the timely payment of first-year students’ fees to manage their operations, as continuing students often pay their fees late. He further questioned how quickly the government would release the funds and how the implementation would be managed.
“The critical question is: how quickly will the government release these funds? And how will the implementation be structured?” Dr. Muntaka asked. “If there are delays, universities could face serious crises.”
He also emphasized that implementing the policy would require substantial sacrifices, urging the NDC to prioritize youth needs over political gains. Dr. Muntaka suggested that the party should demonstrate genuine commitment by cutting unnecessary expenses and avoiding promises made merely for electoral purposes.
“To fund this policy, significant sacrifices will be necessary,” he said. “The NDC must prove that this is not just a vote-winning tactic but a serious commitment. Failure to deliver on such promises could undermine public trust.”
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH with additional files from 3news.com