Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Mrs Sheila Naah Boamah has been decorated with a meritorious award by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) at a Dinner and Fundraising ceremony last week. 

She was the only lady among five prominent Ghanaians whose leadership qualities and achievements were recognised by the Union. The rest are: Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Dr. Kwabena Dufuor, Mr. Manasseh Azure, and Mr William Ato Essien.

The award was in recognition of her sterling leadership qualities that has brought immense transformation to the Trust Fund. Under her stewardship the Trust Fund has amongst others: successfully rolled-over forty-one (41) Colleges of Education onto the scheme nationwide; brought on board MMDAs as an option of guarantee for students' loan; improved loan accessibility, resulting in a 25 percent increase in disbursement over the past academic year; increased loan recovery by 35 percent over the 2013 target.

In the period under review, the Fund has also built strong collaborations with several relevant institutions including the universities, polytechnics, PRINCOF, Ghana Bankers Association, Ghana Employers Association, National Accreditation Board (NAB), Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Ghana Interbank Payments and Settlement Systems (Ghipss), among others.

The Fund will be introducing in the 2015/2016 academic year a revised loan application form, which would be simpler and shorter, resulting in a user-friendly application process.

Additionally, discussions are ongoing with key financial institutions to introduce a top-up loan at a cost for some categories of Students who may have higher financial requirements.

To make loan repayment more convenient, SLTF plans to introduce additional repayment options to cater for past beneficiaries both at home and abroad.

The SLTF was established in 2005 to take over the administration of students' loans from SSNIT. “The recognition by NUGS, its primary client, is therefore a big incentive to personnel at the Students Loan Trust Fund”, said Mrs Shiela Naah Boamah, in response to her award.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund in her acceptance comments, dedicated the recognition to the hard working Team at the Students Loan Trust Fund.