‘No Fees Stress’ Initiative Is Transparent – Dr. Saajida Shiraz Debunks Claims of Ghost Names

Dr. Saajida Shiraz, CEO of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), has assured the public that the newly launched No Fees Stress initiative will remain free from corruption, particularly regarding the inclusion of fake or non-existent beneficiaries.

Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show, Dr. Shiraz emphasized that the programme’s implementation is rooted in transparency and data accuracy, with robust systems in place to detect and prevent irregularities. She noted that both pre- and post-audit checks are being employed to ensure that only eligible students benefit.

“I have never interfered with the process,” she said, stressing that decisions are based on a data-driven approach to maintain the integrity of the fund.

Dr. Shiraz also stated that the SLTF is open to scrutiny and ready for investigations at any time to uphold public confidence in the programme. So far, over 15,000 students who applied through the official portal have already received their reimbursements. The Fund aims to process all outstanding applications by the end of August 2025.

Addressing concerns about why the payments are made directly to students rather than institutions, Dr. Shiraz explained that paying schools directly would have complicated implementation. “It would have been messy,” she said.

The No Fees Stress initiative, launched on July 4, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama in Koforidua, aims to eliminate financial hurdles for qualified students entering public tertiary institutions. It targets first-year students pursuing accredited diploma or degree programmes in universities, technical universities, nursing colleges, and colleges of education. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply via the official No Fees Stress portal.

Source: gbcghanaonline.com