The Official Launch of the 10th Anniversary of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) was held on September 11, 2015 at the Accra International Conference Centre. This beautiful event, which was full of pomp and pageantry, was under the distinguished patronage of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana and represented by the Hon. Minister of Education, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
The Chairman, for the august occasion was Naa Prof. John S. Nabila, President of the National House of Chiefs. In his opening remarks he stated that, he was greatly honoured to chair the occasion. He also noted that, he is happy to be associated with the Trust Fund, because over the years the students’ loan scheme has become a response to the financial needs of individuals and families such as his. He concluded by admonishing loan defaulters to pay back, in order to sustain the Fund for posterity.
Delivering the Welcome Address, the Board Chairman of the Trust Fund noted that, the current Board of Trustees was inaugurated exactly a year ago, with the key mandate of enhancing the Trust Fund’s operational efficiency in consonance with articles 25 & 38 of the 1992 Constitution. He also mentioned that the celebration of the 10th anniversary is under the theme: “TRANSFORMING TERTIARY EDUCATION FINANCING IN GHANA”. He added that, consultations will be held with stakeholders and policy makers on the sub-themes to draw inputs that would meaningfully impact on the operations of the Trust Fund. In his concluding remarks, he expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for the various roles they have played over the years, and are still playing to make SLTF perform its mandate effectively.
The CEO of the Trust Fund, Mrs. Sheila Naah-Boamah, in her anniversary brief, walked the audience through the milestones and statistics of the core operational activities of the Trust Fund over the past decade. She also highlighted major reforms that had been introduced to resolve challenges relating to the loan application requirements and processes over the years.
In a speech read on behalf of the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, by the Minister of Education, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the President lauded the innovations and successes chalked by the Fund. He also indicated that, the activities of the Fund, thus far, tie in well with government’s vision of education at the tertiary level and its development paradigm based on: human rights and dignity; social justice, protection, cultural diversity; and shared responsibility and accountability. The President also urged financial institutions and the private sector in general, to consider partnering with the Trust Fund to develop a students’ loan product that will be meaningful and enable students meet their individual aspirations and for the achievement of societal goals.
The climax of the event was the unveiling of the new logo of Students Loan Trust Fund by the Minister of Education, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, which mesmerized everyone present.
In attendance at the Launch were a collection of dignitaries from the Parliamentary Select Committee of Education; Corporate Leaders; Representatives of the Christian Council of Ghana and the National Chief Imam. There were also Stakeholders in Education such as: Administrators of tertiary institutions, SSNIT; GETFund; the National Union of Ghana Students and its various blocs. Participants were also drawn from SLTF’s Partner Banks, Civil Society, Management and Staff of SLTF and persons from all walks of life.
Please, click the links below to read the statements read on behalf of the President by the Minister of Education; Board Chairman and the CEO of the Trust Fund respectively.
Statement by Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Andy Osei Okrah.
A Presentation by Mrs Sheila Naa Boamah – Chief Executive Officer, SLTF.
