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

The Student Financial Aid Office (SFAO) of the University of Ghana has hosted a national conference to commemorate its 20th anniversary, bringing together key stakeholders from tertiary institutions across the country to deliberate on strategies for promoting equity and improving student aid administration.

The two-day conference, held under the theme “Promoting Equity, Expanding Access and Enhancing Aid Administration in Ghana’s Tertiary Education,” focused on building a more inclusive and sustainable support system for financially disadvantaged students.

Delivering the opening address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo reaffirmed the University’s commitment to equitable education, acknowledging the significant impact of the SFAO over the past two decades.

“The Office has supported thousands of students, some of whom have gone on to become valedictorians and internationally recognised scholars,” she noted.
She called for stronger partnerships and more sustainable funding sources to meet the growing demand for financial assistance.

The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, who served as Special Guest of Honour, announced plans to introduce a Scholarship Authority Bill and the implementation of a national means-testing mechanism to ensure targeted support. He also pledged to establish a new scholarship in honour of his late mother, the Mayaan Kallogi Scholarship, dedicated to brilliant but needy students, with a personal funding commitment for the next ten years.

In his keynote address, Emeritus Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, former Vice-Chancellor of the University, reflected on the cultural and systemic challenges that continue to hinder the effectiveness of student aid financing in Ghana. He advocated for inclusive, data-driven support models that incorporate not just tuition assistance, but broader student welfare, including access to technology and mental health services.

“It is not enough to pay fees; students must be able to function and thrive. That means recognising their needs holistically,” he said.

Plenary sessions during the conference explored a range of issues, including scholarship administration, institutional collaboration and best practices in financial aid delivery. Participants included staff from financial aid offices across Ghana’s tertiary institutions. The event also featured powerful testimonials from student beneficiaries who shared how the scheme had transformed their academic journeys.

The anniversary celebration marked two decades of impactful work by the SFAO and reinforced the University’s commitment to delivering a truly transformative student experience.