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Stakeholders at the Greater Accra and Eastern Regional sessions of the National Education Forum (NEF) have called for a shift in Ghana’s education financing model, arguing that the government’s sole responsibility for funding is unsustainable.
According to the stakeholders, the current approach compromises quality and stretches national resources, making it difficult to invest adequately in other critical sectors.
They proposed that government funding be focused on tuition, salaries, and infrastructure, while parents take responsibility for expenses such as school uniforms, feeding, and examination fees.
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“Government cannot and should not fund all aspects of education,” they stressed.
At the session held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Edem Asase, an official from the Ministry of Finance, emphasised the need for a sustainable and accountable education financing framework.
Stakeholders urged the proper utilisation of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), insisting that it be used strictly for infrastructure projects rather than scholarships or unrelated expenditures.
Additionally, they called for policies to attract funding from alumni associations, corporate organizations, religious institutions, and philanthropists, pointing out that alumni contributions are mostly directed toward senior high schools, leaving basic education underfunded.
The forum also highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in education financing to ensure efficient resource management.
“We must ensure that every cedi allocated to education is properly utilised. Those who mismanage funds must be held accountable,” Asase stated.
Participants further stressed the importance of Ghana reducing reliance on donor support and adopting innovative self-financing strategies to sustain the education sector.
Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, described education funding as a major challenge that requires innovative solutions.
Prof. George K.T. Oduro, Chairperson of the NEF Committee, reiterated the importance of the forum in gathering diverse perspectives to improve education financing.
“The financial burden of education is too heavy for the government alone. We must find collaborative ways to ensure sustainable access and quality,” he said.
The Accra session forms part of a series of regional engagements under the theme “Transforming Education for Sustainable Development,” following the National Consultative Forum on Education launched by President John Dramani Mahama in Ho last Tuesday.
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