2027 Budget: NUGS demands funding for ‘Bed-for-All’ student hostel programme

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has appealed to the government to include funding for the implementation of its “Bed-for-All” programme in the 2027 budget.

NUGS President, Rashid Ibrahim, said the initiative is needed to address the growing accommodation challenges confronting students in tertiary institutions.

He said rising hostel fees are putting additional financial pressure on students and their families, with some students struggling to secure affordable accommodation to continue their education.

“We respectfully appeal to you and the Government to give the ‘Bed-for-All’ programme a place in the 2027 Budget and provide a clear pathway for its implementation,” Rashid Ibrahim said in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 16.

The appeal was addressed to Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson following his announcement that the 2027 Budget would be presented in Parliament in November.

NUGS acknowledged several interventions by the government in the education sector, including the uncapping of the GETFund, the introduction of No-Fee Stress, free education for persons with disabilities and the Students Loan Plus programme.

The students’ body also cited the reduction of the interest rate on student loans from 12% annual compound interest to 6% simple interest and a 50% increase in regular student loan amounts.

It said despite these interventions, accommodation remains a major challenge for many tertiary students.

According to NUGS, recent increases in hostel fees across tertiary institutions have made it increasingly difficult for students to find affordable places to stay.

It said some students are being priced out of school, while others were being forced into difficult and potentially unsafe living conditions.

The union is therefore calling for the construction of affordable on-campus student hostels and the expansion of accommodation facilities through Public-Private Partnerships with universities.

“Students of Ghana will be excited to see this promise translated into a concrete budgetary commitment,” the statement said.