Education plays a fundamental role in national development, serving as the bedrock for economic growth, innovation, and social transformation.
A well-structured education system equips citizens with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive progress and tackle societal challenges.
In Ghana, the pursuit of quality education has led to various reforms and policy interventions, with stakeholders continuously engaging in discussions to improve learning outcomes, infrastructure, and accessibility.
One of the most debated policies in recent years is the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) initiative, introduced to provide universal secondary education.
While the policy has expanded access, concerns over sustainability, funding, and implementation challenges persist. To address these issues, stakeholders across the country have been participating in educational forums aimed at reviewing existing policies and proposing reforms.
Regarding the recent education forum held in the Volta Region, Dr. Peter Partey Anti, Executive Director of the Institute for Education Studies has affirmed the need for stakeholder inclusivity in the reform process and innovative strategies for education financing. Dr. Anti refuted claims that certain stakeholders had been sidelined in the discussions on education reforms.
“I think the opportunities that have been created for all of us to submit our ideas make it difficult for me to agree if some groups would say that they have been left out.”
Dr. Peter Partey Anti Executive Director of the Institute for Education Studies
He acknowledged an initial lapse in inviting the Catholic Bishops’ Conference to the discussions but noted that the situation was quickly corrected, ensuring their participation.
Dr. Anti highlighted the various consultation strategies employed to gather input from different segments of society.
“They are meeting student leaders. They are going to the markets. They have created a questionnaire that has been circulated widely, soliciting views from the people about the way forward for policies like the Free Senior High School.”
Dr. Peter Partey Anti Executive Director of the Institute for Education Studies
This comprehensive approach, he emphasized, was designed to ensure that the final recommendations would reflect the true aspirations of the Ghanaian people.
A Reflection on the National Education Forum
Dr. Anti expressed his satisfaction with the level of engagement witnessed during the forum.
“I was invited to deliver a paper on education financing. And I must say that the enthusiasm of all of us who went there, the quality of contributions that were made, and the burning desire in the eyes of the people there to see a very robust educational sector was something that gladdened my heart.”
Dr. Peter Partey Anti Executive Director of the Institute for Education Studies
He also stressed the importance of including diverse perspectives in education reform discussions. The engagement, he noted, was not limited to policymakers but extended to students, professionals, and community members.
“The interaction was positive. The experience was worth it. And I hope that whatever views will be collated and presented to the people of Ghana will be a reflection of their aspirations and ideas.”
“If we had this conversation in 2017, so many of the challenges that we have experienced with the Free Senior High School and some of the curriculum reviews at the basic level, we wouldn’t have encountered them.”
Dr. Peter Partey Anti Executive Director of the Institute for Education Studies
He warned against making unilateral decisions in education policy, stressing that stakeholder involvement is crucial to ensuring successful implementation.
“Education affects every single household in this country. Every individual is a stakeholder. You cannot just box in three, four people in a room or have one person—whether the minister or the president—give a directive and expect it to work smoothly. That approach can create serious difficulties.”
Dr. Peter Partey Anti Executive Director of the Institute for Education Studies
According to him, poorly planned education policies could negatively impact an entire generation within a short period.
Innovative Approaches to Education Financing
On the issue of funding, Dr. Anti emphasized that Ghana cannot rely solely on government resources to sustain educational policies, including Free SHS. He proposed several innovative strategies for financing education.
“We need to expand the scope of funds used to finance education. That means implementing efficiency measures, plugging loopholes, and ensuring that funds allocated to education are used for their intended purpose.”
Dr. Peter Partey Anti Executive Director of the Institute for Education Studies
He also advocated for equity financing, stressing the need to allocate resources where they are most needed rather than directing funds to areas that already have sufficient support.
Additionally, he suggested legislating a portion of Ghana’s Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) from petroleum revenue to support education, ensuring that the sector receives consistent financial backing regardless of changing government priorities.
Dr. Anti further recommended the exploration of voluntary contributions or levies to supplement government funding for education. However, he was cautious not to suggest direct parental payments, emphasizing that all options should be carefully evaluated to ensure sustainability without overburdening families.
Dr. Peter Partey Anti’s contributions to the National Education Forum highlighted the importance of broad-based consultations in shaping Ghana’s education policies.
As Ghana continues to refine its education system, ensuring participatory decision-making and sustainable funding will be critical to building a more robust and inclusive educational framework.
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