Education think tank, Africa Education Watch has called for urgent reforms in Ghana’s education financing structure, warning that critical gaps in technical and vocational training, tertiary infrastructure and teacher availability threaten long-term national development.
The think tank said the government’s plan to train 10,000 craftspersons and complete six Regional TVET Centres of Excellence is a positive step, but not enough to address youth unemployment.
“Ghana produces over 500,000 secondary school graduates each year, but only 200,000 continue to tertiary institutions, leaving about 300,000 with limited skills and facing unemployment,” Eduwatch stressed.
It recommended doubling enrolment in TVET programmes from 10% to 20% in the medium term and dedicating at least 20% of all secondary school projects to TVET facilities. It added that “at least 5 per cent of the education budget” should be consistently allocated to TVET.
Eduwatch also highlighted the high cost of vocational training as a deterrent to students, urging the government to make Personal Protective Equipment and practical tools part of Free SHS support. It warned that the current GH¢32 annual allocation for practical work per student is “far from the minimum funding required for having one practical session every week.”
Calls for Full Release of Special Education Funds
The organisation welcomed GH¢75 million in allocations for special education and tertiary support for persons with disabilities but cited past budget credibility issues. It reminded the government that between 2016 and 2020, “only 65 per cent of budgeted resources for Special Schools were released,” stressing the need for timely disbursements.
On girls’ education, Eduwatch lauded the GH¢292 million allocation for sanitary pads and called for disclosure on local production. It said confirming the factories involved and job creation numbers is necessary under the President’s directive to purchase only Ghana-made pads.
Tertiary Financing Gaps
Eduwatch warned that the GH¢537 million allocated for the No-Fee-Stress Policy will not be enough to support the expected 200,000 new tertiary students in the 2025/26 academic year. It called for “about GH¢300 million in supplementary funding” and stressed the need for timely releases to prevent disruptions in university operations.
The organisation again called for the scrapping of teacher trainee allowances, arguing that “resources redirected to the Students Loan Scheme will benefit all tertiary students.”
Demand for Accountability on School Infrastructure
The group raised fresh concerns over the government’s announcement of 200 new JHSs, 200 primary schools, and 200 kindergartens in 2026, in addition to 261 basic schools budgeted for in 2025. It said clarity is needed on whether the government is budgeting for “461 basic schools… or whether these are overlapping commitments.”
Eduwatch warned that without transparency, value for money cannot be assured. It also called for warranty-backed procurement of school furniture to protect the public purse.
