Ghana Public Finance Review - Building the Foundations for a Resilient and Equitable Fiscal Policy - Enhancing Human Development Spending Efficiency for Service Delivery

Jul 19, 2026

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The document section examines how Ghana can improve human development spending efficiency through better education service delivery. It outlines Ghana’s education system structure, the roles of key ministries and agencies, and key reforms over recent decades. It then analyzes education spending trends, showing declining allocations since 2021 relative to international benchmarks, including UN and Global Partnership for Education targets, and discusses implications for financing, management, and accountability.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages49

Reading Time2 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Enhancing Human Development Spending Efficiency for Service Delivery

Improving spending efficiency in education

Education Strategic Plan 2018–2030

Declining education spending since 2021

6/ Enhancing Human Development Spending Efficiency for Service Delivery Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized G Review Foundations forhana Pub lic Finance Building the a Resilient and Equitable Fiscal Policy 6/ Enhancing Human Development Spending Efficiency for Service Delivery 157 6.1/ Improving spending efficiency in education Ghana’s education system comprises basic (that is, kindergarten, primary, and lower secondary), secondary (that is, upper general secondary/technical/ vocational), and tertiary levels, as well as complementary or non-formal education. The Ministry of Education (MoE) provides policy guidance and systemic oversight with its Education Strategic Plan (ESP), which sets out medium-and long-term goals, objectives, and targets ( Box 6.1) . The Ghana Education Service (GES) is the MoE’s implementing agency at the pre-tertiary levels. The Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) sets out policy for and provides oversight of technical and vocational education and training (TVET), while the Ghana TVET Services (GTVETS) oversees implementation ofTVET at the pretertiary level. The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) provides oversight for tertiary institutions, including technical universities. Basic and secondary public education is free for all beneficiaries, while public tertiary education is tuition-free but entails other fees. | Ghana’s education system has evolved overtime | | --- | | Figure 6.1. Major education reforms in Ghana over the past 30 years | |
1995 | | --- | |
2002 | |
2005 | |
2012 | |
2016 | |
2017 | |
2018 | |
2019 | |
2020 | | | FCUBE SHS Subsidies Introduction of Capitation Grants Two years of KG included in FCUBE Complementary Basic Education Reform to convert Polytechnics to Technical Universities Free SHS and TVET Policy Doubling of Capitation Grant Pre-Tertiary Curriculum Reform Double Track for SHS Strategic Plan for TVET Transformation National Pre-Tertiary Learning Assessment Framework Early Childhood Education Policy Education Regulatory Bodies Act National Research Fund Act Source: World Bank 2022, Education Public Expenditure Review in Ghana. Note: FCUBE = Free, Compulsory, Universal Basic Education; SHS = Senior High School. Ghana Public Finance Review | Volume 2 / Detailed Analysis 158 Box 6.1. The Education Strategic Plan 2018–2030 | The government’s strategic framework for education is outlined in its ESP 2018–2030.
Thematic Areas
1. Improved equitable access to and participation in inclusive quality education at all levels. At the basic
level, focus is on increasing enrollment, particularly in disadvantaged communities and addressing gender parity in access. Atthe secondary level, focus is on implementing the Free SHS and improving access for disadvantaged groups. At the TVET level, focus is on expanded and upgraded teaching, learning, and training infrastructure and increased enrollment, for females, persons with disability (PWDs), and disadvantaged groups. At the tertiary level, focus is on increasing admission places available and increased participation by women, PWDs, and disadvantaged groups.
2. Improved quality of teaching and learning and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at all levels. Atthe basic level, focus is on using quality teaching and learning materials, improved learning assessment, improved quality, and relevance of STEM, among others. At the | secondary level, focus is on increased use of quality teaching and learning materials and equipment and improved learning outcomes for girls in all subjects and for all students in STEM. At the TVET level, focus is on strong legal, governance, and regulatory frameworks for greater coherence and accountability. At the tertiary level, focus is on improving quality of teaching and learning

FAQs

How is Ghana’s education system structured in this section?

It includes basic education (kindergarten, primary, lower secondary), secondary education (upper general secondary/technical/vocational), tertiary education, and complementary or non-formal education.

Which institutions oversee education at different levels?

The Ministry of Education provides policy guidance and oversight through its Education Strategic Plan; Ghana Education Service implements pre-tertiary programs; CTVET and GTVETS oversee TVET policy and delivery; GTEC oversees tertiary institutions.

What key trend in education spending is highlighted?

Allocations for education have fallen since 2021, dropping from 24% of total public spending in 2018 to 14% of the 2024 budgeted spending, and from earlier levels of GDP share, trailing international benchmarks.

Jul 19, 2026

Upload by Finn