The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has described the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) as a critical institution powering the government’s transformative education agenda, particularly through the successful implementation of the ‘No Fees Stress’ policy.

The minister made the remarks when he paid a working visit to the SLTF Head Office on Monday, October 20, 2025, to acquaint himself with the Fund’s operations and the working environment of its staff.

He commended Dr Saajida Shiraz, the Chief Executive Officer of SLTF, and her team for their exceptional commitment in fulfilling one of the current government’s flagship campaign promises.

According to him, the SLTF’s efficiency has positioned it as a trusted vehicle for delivering equitable access to tertiary education.

“The No Fees Stress Policy is the most impactful initiative under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, and SLTF has been at the heart of its success. Your work is expanding opportunities for thousands of students,” Iddrisu stated.

Dr Saajida Shiraz expressed appreciation for the Minister’s visit and reaffirmed the institution’s resolve to serve the nation with diligence.

She emphasised that staff remain committed to meeting deadlines and ensuring that beneficiaries receive timely support.

Since the rollout of the ‘No Fees Stress’ policy, more than 120,000 students have had their academic fees reimbursed.

The equity-based policy aims to eliminate financial obstacles to tertiary education by covering academic-related fees for all first-year students enrolled in public tertiary institutions.

The policy was first introduced by President John Dramani Mahama during the 2024 election campaign, with a promise to waive academic user fees for first-year students in public tertiary institutions within the first 120 days of his administration.

As part of his visit, the minister also reviewed the soon-to-be-launched ‘No Fees Stress’ Portal, which goes live on October 23, 2025, just a day before the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities Initiative is launched on October 24.

The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to building an inclusive and accessible education system, commending SLTF for its central role in achieving this national vision.