SONA 2026: Mahama Launches Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities Nationwide

Ferdinand  | Education Ghana | March 2 | SONA 2026: Mahama Launches Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities Nationwide

President John Dramani Mahama announces full implementation of Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities in SONA 2026, expanding inclusive access to universities and colleges across Ghana.

The President has announced the nationwide implementation of Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities, marking a major step toward inclusive higher education reform in Ghana.

The announcement was made during the 2026 State of the Nation Address delivered before Parliament on Friday, February 27, 2026. The President described the policy as both a moral obligation and a strategic investment in equity and national development.

Policy Now Fully Operational

According to President Mahama, the Free Tertiary Education Policy for Persons with Disabilities has been formally launched and is currently benefiting eligible students enrolled in public tertiary institutions across the country.

The intervention removes financial barriers for students with disabilities pursuing programmes in public universities, technical universities, and colleges of education. It covers approved academic-related fees and is designed to ensure that disability does not limit access to higher learning.

Education advocates have long called for stronger state support for learners with disabilities, citing systemic disadvantages and higher costs associated with assistive technologies, mobility, and specialised learning support.

Backed by Sustainable Funding

The policy operates within a strengthened legal and financial framework. Under amendments to the structure, dedicated funding mechanisms have been established to support free education for learners with special needs beginning in the 2026 academic year.

Government officials say this framework is designed to ensure sustainability and prevent funding interruptions that could affect beneficiaries.

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Advancing Inclusive Education

President Mahama emphasized that inclusive education strengthens social cohesion and national productivity. He noted that investing in persons with disabilities expands Ghana’s human capital base and promotes equal participation in economic life.

The initiative aligns with Ghana’s broader commitments under international disability rights frameworks and national inclusion policies aimed at reducing inequality in education and employment.

Stakeholders in the disability advocacy space have welcomed the move, describing it as a transformative intervention that could significantly increase tertiary enrolment among persons with disabilities.

Complementary Reforms in Special Needs Education

The free tertiary education policy forms part of a broader inclusion agenda announced during SONA 2026. Additional measures include:

• Increased feeding grants for students in public special schools from GHS 8.00 to GHS 15.00
• Construction of a modern Special Needs School in Ho in the Volta Region
• Rehabilitation and upgrading of the Special Needs School in Akropong, Akuapem

These initiatives collectively signal a systemic approach to supporting learners with disabilities at both basic and tertiary levels.

Removing Barriers to Opportunity

Access to higher education remains a critical pathway to employment and social mobility. However, students with disabilities often face financial and structural barriers that limit progression beyond secondary school.

By eliminating tuition-related costs at the tertiary level, the government aims to improve enrolment rates, completion rates, and employment outcomes for persons with disabilities.

Strengthening Equity in Ghana’s Education System

The 2026 SONA places inclusive education at the centre of Ghana’s national transformation agenda. The Free Tertiary Education Policy for Persons with Disabilities reinforces the administration’s position that education reform must address both access and fairness.

As implementation expands in the 2026 academic year, education observers will be monitoring enrolment data and funding sustainability to assess the long-term impact of the initiative.