UG Student Financial Aid Office Hosts National Conference to Mark 20th Anniversary

To mark its 20th anniversary, the University of Ghana’s Student Financial Aid Office (SFAO) hosted a 2-day conference on the theme: “Promoting Equity, Expanding Access and Enhancing Aid Administration in Ghana’s Tertiary Education.”

The celebration, which brought together key staff working in financial aid offices in various tertiary institutions across Ghana, also explored areas of student aid improvement in plenary sessions and featured testimonials from UG students who have benefited from the scheme.

At the opening ceremony, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo reaffirmed the University’s commitment to equitable education, noting the SFAO’s role in supporting thousands of students, some of whom have emerged valedictorians and globally recognised students. 

“Our primary goal has always been to ensure that no needy student is hindered from nurturing their ambitions and reaching their full potential as a result of financial constraints,” she stated.

She called for stronger partnerships and sustainable funding to meet growing demand.

Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, who was the Special Guest of Honour, emphasised the need for targeted aid and announced plans to introduce means testing and a Scholarship Authority Bill. 

He also pledged to establish a scholarship in honour of his late mother, the Mayaan Kallogi Scholarship for brilliant but needy students, committing an amount in that regard for the next 10 years.

Keynote Speaker and Former Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, reflected on the cultural and systemic challenges regarding student aid financing. He advocated for inclusive and data-driven support models, stressing that student welfare, including tech access and mental health support must be part of the solution.

Drawing on personal experience and global models, he highlighted the need for inclusive funding policies that address financial barriers, cultural stigmas and student welfare. He compared three dominant higher education financing models, the U.S. private approach, the European public model and a hybrid system common in developing countries. In Ghana’s context, he advocated for better-targeted financial aid, stressing those resources must reach students who genuinely need support.

Prof. Aryeetey also emphasised the importance of addressing non-tuition challenges such as food insecurity, which affects student performance and equity. “Let’s ensure that the Financial Aid Office remains transparent, accountable, provides awareness, and always is in partnership with others,” he said. “It is only through these partnerships that we will be able to provide the kind of support that our students need.”

Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro Vice-Chancellor (ASA), emphasised the transformative role of the Financial Aid Office over the past two decades. He noted that its mission to ensure no deserving student is denied access to education due to financial hardship, has significantly reshaped access to higher education in Ghana. 

He celebrated the more than 20,000 students who have benefited from the scheme, many of whom have gone on to achieve First Class Honours, valedictorian titles, and recognition as overall best students. 

“These achievements in academics, leadership and service to our nation validate every cedi or dollar or pound invested in these students,” he said.

Prof. Awandare also highlighted recent reforms, including expanded eligibility, allowing students on all programmes even fee-paying ones to access support. 

He acknowledged the vital contributions of alumni and donor partners and underscored the university’s leadership in mentoring other institutions and fostering collaboration through an annual platform for dialogue and innovation in student financial support.

Reflecting on her own experience serving on financial aid interview panels, Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, shared how deeply moving many student stories were.

“I'm glad that as a university, together with the support of our sponsors, we have been able to help so many of our students who otherwise would not have been able to continue with their education,” she added.

Prof. Samuel Kwasi Dartey-Baah, Chair of the 20th Anniversary Planning Committee and Director of the Office of Institutional Advancement, stressed the importance of sustaining and advancing the vision that birthed the office two decades ago. He called for stronger partnerships to promote equity, expand access and enhance aid administration in tertiary education.

“Let us use the next two days to reflect critically, reimagine boldly and recommit ourselves to building stronger partnerships and driving forward-looking solutions in financial aid administration,” he remarked.

There was a Human Library segment, where beneficiaries of the financial aid scheme shared personal stories about the transformative impact of support.  Among the storytellers was Emmanuel Ayemzokiya, a student with hearing impairment studying Political Science whose testimony highlighted how aid has enabled him to overcome significant barriers and pursue academic excellence.

Notably, former SRC President Frank Tsikata reflected on his journey from a financially challenged background to student leadership, crediting the SFAO with not only enabling his education but also shaping his capacity to lead and serve others.

Ms. Selina Torrison Saaka, Head of the Student Financial Aid Office, thanked Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo-led administration for the continuous support in ensuring that no student is hindered by financial need. 

The event featured a dance performance by students from the Department of Dance Studies at the School of Performing Arts.