President John Mahama has appointed Dr Hamid Kanyiti Salifu as Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) to strengthen the institution’s leadership and efforts to improve access to tertiary education financing.
The Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, communicated the appointment in a letter dated October 29, 2026.
The letter stated that the appointment was made under Article 195(1) of the 1992 Constitution and the Student Loan Trust Fund Act, 2011 (Act 820), pending receipt of the constitutionally required advice of the Governing Board, in consultation with the Public Services Commission.
Dr Salifu brings considerable experience in research, public administration, governance, and policy development to the position. Until his appointment, he served as a Resource Person for Research, Policy Development and Implementation at the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) in Accra.
He previously worked as Research Officer and Head of Secretariat to former Minority Leader and current Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, during the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Parliaments.
His responsibilities included coordinating the Minority Leader’s schedule, conducting parliamentary research and managing engagements between the office, public institutions and other stakeholders.
Dr Salifu holds a PhD in Public Administration, Governance and Leadership from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
His doctoral research examined “Parliamentary Oversight and Executive Accountability in Ghana’s Democratic Governance under the Fourth Republic.”
He also holds a Master’s degree in Development Management, specialising in International Development, from GIMPA, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness (Management and Finance) from the University for Development Studies (UDS).
Political and public service experience
Dr. Salifu has also been actively involved in political organisation and electoral activities within the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
His previous roles include serving as Collator of NDC presidential results for the Salaga South Constituency during the 2024 general elections, Elections Research Director of the NDC Youth Wing in the Northern Region and a member of the party’s regional campaign team during the 2016 elections.
He also served as President of the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) at the UDS Nyankpala Campus in the 2012 academic year.
His earlier electoral experience includes serving as an NDC Regional Election Observer in the Northern Region during the 2004 and 2008 general elections and as a polling agent in Tamale during the 2000 elections.
Beyond his parliamentary and political experience, Dr Salifu has an educational background, having previously taught at Bagabaga Demonstration Junior High School in Tamale.
His classroom experience is expected to add perspective on students’ educational needs and the importance of accessible financing.
Appointment comes amid student loan reforms
Dr Salifu’s appointment comes as the Student Loan Trust Fund is expected to play an increasingly important role in the government’s efforts to improve access to tertiary education through sustainable student financing.
In its 2024 manifesto, the NDC pledged to strengthen the Fund by reintroducing and deploying the Student Loan Trust Fund Plus (SLTFP), alongside reforms to the scholarship regime to provide continuing students with financial assistance.
The party also promised to increase student loan amounts based on needs assessments and ensure timely disbursement of funds to beneficiaries.
Under the leadership of its CEO, Dr Saajida Shiraz, the Fund has been spearheading efforts to advance reforms aimed at improving student financing.
Dr Salifu is expected to support these initiatives by bringing his expertise in public governance, institutional management, research and policy development to the organisation.
The Student Loan Trust Fund provides financial assistance to eligible Ghanaian students pursuing accredited undergraduate programmes at accredited tertiary institutions.
Its mission is to transform lives through innovative student financing solutions by providing timely, accessible and affordable financial support.
With a vision of promoting equitable access to quality tertiary education for all Ghanaians, the Fund remains a critical institution in efforts to reduce financial barriers to higher education.
Dr Salifu’s appointment is therefore expected to strengthen the Fund’s leadership capacity as it works to improve its operations and deliver on the broader goal of making tertiary education more accessible to Ghanaian students.