A staff member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Legal Directorate, Kingsley Amoakwa-Boadu, has affirmed the party’s support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) proposal to scrap academic fees for all first-year tertiary students.

He acknowledged that any policy aimed at improving access to tertiary education is welcomed by the NPP, as Ghana requires educated minds to drive its development.

Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV, Amoakwa-Boadu expressed the NPP's stance, stating, "For myself and my party, anything that increases access to education is welcomed. For a long period of time, this country has needed educated minds because we have natural resources and all that, and it is that creative and imaginative mind that boosts our developmental agenda. If you don’t have a lot of that, it is problematic."

While expressing the NPP’s overall support for the policy, he emphasized that their primary concern lies with the practical implementation and financing of the NDC’s proposed initiative.

He questioned how the policy would be executed effectively, noting inconsistencies in the NDC's communication.

"Our issue is how it is going to be implemented and financed," Amoakwa-Boadu said.

"The NDC is not speaking from one script. You have someone say this and the other say that. You get someone say it is for all public universities, and what about technical universities?"

John Dramani Mahama, the NDC’s flagbearer, announced the plan during the party’s youth manifesto launch in Accra, stating that it aims to alleviate the burden on students struggling with academic fees.

According to Clement Apaak, a member of the NDC’s Manifesto Committee on Education, the policy could cost the government around GH¢300 million annually.

Despite concerns over its feasibility, Amoakwa-Boadu reiterated that the NPP would support any initiative that broadens access to higher education, recognizing the critical role it plays in national progress.