Investing in education is investing in Ghana’s future
It is common knowledge that education remains the most potent and reliable tool for driving national development in any country.
Beyond being the engine of economic growth, education is a powerful social leveller, narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor and expanding opportunities for all.
It is against this backdrop that the call on member countries of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to intentionally increase budgetary allocation to education remains non-negotiable.
In November 2006, the High-Level Group on Education for All (EFA) convened global education leaders to review progress and reaffirm commitments to the Education for All agenda.
One of the key outcomes of that meeting was the recommendation that countries should allocate between four and six per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to education.
Nearly two decades on, this benchmark remains relevant, particularly for developing countries striving to build resilient economies anchored on strong human capital.
It is, therefore, heart-warming that President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to increasing public spending on education over the next three years.
The announcement, made during his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Ghana National Association of Teachers’ (GNAT) 7th Quadrennial and 54th National Delegates Conference at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), signals a clear intention to align Ghana’s education financing with UNESCO’s global standards.
For 2026, the government projects education spending at 3.1 per cent of GDP—representing a 10 per cent increase over 2025 levels.
While this falls short of the minimum four per cent recommended by UNESCO, it nonetheless marks progress and reflects an acknowledgement of the urgent need to invest more in the sector.
The Daily Graphic recognises the fiscal constraints confronting the nation and the competing demands on the public purse, even as the country works towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal Four (SDG 4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Encouragingly, the government has outlined a number of interventions aimed at strengthening education delivery and addressing persistent learning gaps.
These go beyond the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy to include initiatives such as the “No Fee Stress” policy, free tertiary education for persons with disabilities, continued payment of teacher trainee allowances, recruitment of teachers, and renewed efforts to eliminate schools under trees—a challenge that has lingered for far too long.
In addition, the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) continues to play a complementary role through its dedicated financing of Free SHS, scholarships and critical infrastructure.
These interventions, though laudable, come at a high cost and underscore the need for sustained and predictable funding for the education sector.
While the Ministry of Education’s budget is distinct from that of allied agencies, the overall financing needs of the sector remain substantial.
The Daily Graphic believes the President’s decision to scale up budgetary allocation to education is in the right direction, particularly as the government pursues its broader reset agenda.
We urge the government to redouble its efforts to channel more resources into education as a strategic investment in human capital development.
As a nation, Ghana cannot aspire to compete with advanced economies if education continues to be treated as business as usual.
Of particular concern is the widening disparity between rural and urban areas in terms of educational access, infrastructure and teacher availability.
Over 70 per cent of schools under trees are located in rural communities, where teacher shortages are also most pronounced. Bridging this gap will require deliberate policy choices backed by adequate funding.
The recently held National Education Dialogue, initiated by the government, provided a candid diagnosis of the sector’s challenges and outlined pathways for reform.
A major area of emphasis—science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)—offers Ghana an opportunity to leapfrog in its development journey if pursued with seriousness and sustained investment.
Indeed, the level of a country’s development is often judged by the literacy and skill levels of its citizens.
For this reason, President Mahama’s pledge to increase education funding over the next three years deserves broad national support.
Education remains Ghana’s most reliable asset in an increasingly competitive global village, and investing in it today is the surest guarantee of a prosperous future tomorrow.
