President Mahama pledges to increase education spending to meet UNESCO target

President John Dramani Mahama has announced the government’s commitment to increase public spending on education to four per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), aligning with global benchmarks set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

“We've increased educational spending in 2026 by 10 per cent over the 2025 levels and yet still this amounts to 3.1 per cent of GDP, and this falls short of the minimum four per cent recommended by UNESCO. We'll continue to increase education spending over the next three years to meet the UNESCO targets,” he said.

The President made the declaration while delivering the 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).

Historic platform

The conference, which runs till January 8, 2026, is themed “Education and Development: The GES @ 50: Reflecting, Reviewing, Revising and Growing the Profession and the Unions.”

It coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Ghana Education Service (GES), making it a historic platform for major policy pronouncements.

The conference brings together teacher representatives from across the country to deliberate on education delivery, teacher welfare and unionism.

The distinguished gathering at the Ohene Konadu Auditorium included the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, his Deputy, Dr Clement Apaak, and veteran statesman, Opanin Kwame Pianim, who chaired the conference.

Fiscal plan

To concretely achieve the UNESCO funding target, the President announced a three-year fiscal plan centered on the District Assemblies' Common Fund.

He noted that the allocation had been reduced from 7.5 per cent to five per cent, stating, "it is our intention to increase it by one per cent every year over the next three years."

Teaching profession

President Mahama framed the conference theme as both historic and strategic, stating it "invites us to reflect on five decades of service by the Ghana Education Service while challenging us to review what has worked and revise what must change and boldly grow the teaching profession."

He underscored the foundational role of education, declaring, "Education has always been the most reliable engine of national development."

The President paid profound tribute to the teaching profession, asserting, "Every political, social, and economic milestone Ghana has achieved carries the fingerprints of teachers."

He personalised this contribution, noting, "Behind every doctor, every engineer, every entrepreneur, public servant, president, like myself, stands a teacher who believed, guided, corrected and inspired us."

President Mahama also commended GNAT's institutional and economic foresight, recognising it as "the most progressive and forward-thinking trade union."

He highlighted its successful ventures, including the Teachers Fund and strategic investments like Aviance Ghana, stating, "This is a powerful example of how unionism, enterprise, and national development can reinforce one another."

He also announced a forthcoming partnership, revealing that, "the Minister of Finance has put GH¢500 million in the budget" to coordinate with GNAT on a housing scheme for teachers.

Infrastructure

The President also unveiled a major infrastructure plan, stating, "The 2026 budget marks a clear turning point."

He detailed commitments to upgrade 30 Category C senior high schools, complete 30 abandoned e-blocks, and construct 200  kindergartens, primary, and junior high schools nationwide.

Crucially, he announced a decisive move to end the double-track system, revealing, "I'm pleased to announce that about 100 double track schools have already reverted to single track," with a firm pledge to abolish it entirely through a focused two-year intervention.

Addressing a critical concern, President Mahama condemned the "culture of silence surrounding the widespread cheating in our exam halls," labelling it a form of corruption.

He vowed to implement reforms that equipped students to pass "through diligent study and school work rather than by cheating," promising to work with teacher associations to achieve this. 

Attacks on teachers

Meanwhile, the President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Rev. Issac Owusu, warned that the association would not hesitate to direct its members to close down schools if attacks and assaults on teachers continued in communities across the country.

Addressing the gathering in his welcome speech, Rev. Owusu said the growing incidents of violence against teachers were disrupting the smooth running of education and creating an unsafe working environment for educators.

The association said teachers deserved protection and respect and would take firm action if their safety was not guaranteed.

The association is also demanding an immediate review of the Single Spine Pay Policy, describing current conditions of service as inadequate and unfair to teachers.

Assurance

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, assured teachers that  the government would review the country’s pension system to improve benefits for all workers, including teachers.

He said the review was aimed at ensuring better retirement security, particularly for teachers who had dedicated their lives to national development.