The Ghana government has announced that from January 1, 2026, education for all persons with disabilities will be free across the country.
Under the new Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities initiative, they will gain admission into accredited public tertiary-level institutions and will have their tuition and fees fully covered.
The funding is to be provided via the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and a revamped Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF).
This policy includes the 39 “integrated and special needs” schools and it remains to be seen how well it will be implemented.
Critics note that while tuition may be waived in tertiary institutions, many campuses currently lack fully accessible infrastructure (ramps, elevators, disability-friendly facilities) which could limit real access for some students.
Similarly, other supportive measures — assistive devices, accessible learning materials (e.g. for visually impaired or hearing-impaired students), transport, and special support — are not always clearly guaranteed under the policy documents.
If fully implemented, the policy could remove a major barrier to education for persons with disabilities — in special schools, mainstream/integrated schools, and tertiary institutions.
It represents a substantial step toward inclusion and equal opportunity, and aligns with international norms on disability rights and inclusive education.
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