President John Mahama has appointed Dr Hamid Kanyiti Salifu as Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) in a letter dated 29 October 2026. The appointment was made under Article 195(1) of the 1992 Constitution and the Student Loan Trust Fund Act, 2011 (Act 820), pending the constitutionally required advice of the Governing Board and consultation with the Public Services Commission.
Dr Salifu, who holds a PhD in Public Administration, Governance and Leadership from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), brings a wealth of experience in research, public administration, governance and policy development. Prior to this role, he served as a Resource Person for Research, Policy Development and Implementation at the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) in Accra and as Research Officer and Head of Secretariat to former Minority Leader and current MP for Tamale South, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, during the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Parliaments.
His academic work 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 in Agribusiness from the University for Development Studies (UDS). Dr Salifu’s background in political organisation and electoral activities within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) – including roles as Collator of NDC presidential results for Salaga South in 2024 and Elections Research Director of the NDC Youth Wing – further complements his public service credentials.
Under the leadership of CEO Dr Saajida Shiraz, the SLTF has been driving reforms to improve student financing, including the reintroduction of the Student Loan Trust Fund Plus (SLTFP) and reforms to the scholarship regime. Dr Salifu is expected to support these initiatives by applying his expertise in governance, institutional management and policy development to enhance the Fund’s operations and broaden access to affordable tertiary education.
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, offering timely, accessible and affordable support. With Dr Salifu’s appointment, the Fund aims to strengthen its leadership capacity and deliver on the broader goal of making tertiary education more accessible to Ghanaians.
Observers note that the appointment comes amid growing pressure to expand student loan coverage and improve disbursement processes. The SLTF’s next steps will include finalising the governance structure, securing the Governing Board’s advice, and rolling out the SLTFP programme across the country.
