The Progressive Intellectuals (PI), a group of Ghanaian university academics, researchers, and administrators, have embraced former President John Dramani Mahama’s campaign promise to remove academic user fees for first-year university students.

The group said the policy would benefit more than 45,000 students nationwide and ease financial pressure on parents and guardians.

In a statement signed by Dr. Shafic Suleman, Secretary of PI, the group encouraged the National Democratic Congress to engage all relevant stakeholders to fashion out modalities to implement the policy if they won power.

“We wish to state unequivocally that H.E. John Dramani Mahama’s declaration that prospective students who gain admission into level 100 in all public universities will be exempted from paying academic fees is welcoming news to the leadership of PI.

“As a group which leans towards social democratic principles, we yearn to cooperate with progressive forces, including political parties, to accelerate national development through education,” the statement said.

On Monday, August 12, 2024, the NDC unveiled its 2024 Youth Manifesto, which includes a pledge by the flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, to waive academic fees for first-year tertiary students if elected.

The PI said it was open to further deliberation on how to improve the education system in Ghana.