The NDC government’s bold education funding initiative is drawing national attention, as Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Eduwatch Africa, has shed light on a potentially transformative policy shift that could redefine basic education infrastructure across Ghana.
In 2025, 80 percent of the GHC 7.5 billion District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) will be disbursed directly to the districts, a significant improvement over the historical ceiling of 50 percent.
According to the Ministry of Finance, each district will receive a minimum allocation of GHC 25 million from the DACF this year. Of this, 20 percent—amounting to GHC 5 million per district—is earmarked exclusively for basic school infrastructure and furniture upgrades.
The first tranche, nearly GHC 1 billion, has already been released to jumpstart these local education projects.
Accordingly, Kofi Asare emphasized that this unprecedented education funding strategy marks a critical shift towards decentralized financing, offering substantial relief beyond the national level allocation of GHC 1.3 billion from the GETFund for basic education.
“Now, let me explain what the GHC 5 million per district can do for basic education infrastructure, and why we must be involved: In a deprived district like Tatale Sanguli, where 70 per cent of primary schools have no Junior High School (JHS), the GHC 5 million can build six (6) furnished JHS blocks in 2025 alone. That is more than the total built in the past ten years, which is five,” he explained.
The data paints a compelling picture. Historically, Tatale Sanguli constructed only five JHS blocks over the past decade.
With this new education funding mechanism, the district could erect six fully furnished JHS blocks in just a single year, directly improving transition rates from Primary 6 to JHS. This progress aligns with the national target of achieving a 99 percent transition rate.
Asare further projected that if this education funding approach is consistently applied over the next four years and remains focused on JHS infrastructure, Tatale Sanguli could see a 60 percent reduction in its JHS deficit.
Furthermore, the district’s Primary 6 to JHS 1 dropout rate could be cut in half by 2028, significantly enhancing educational continuity for students in the region.
Recognizing the monumental opportunity and the risks associated with fund mismanagement, Eduwatch Africa is stepping in to help ensure accountability.
Kofi Asare announced that Eduwatch is developing a comprehensive tracking framework designed to monitor how districts utilize the GHS 5 million education allocation.
This grassroots monitoring system will enable citizens to play an active role in overseeing education funding disbursement and implementation at the district level.
Meanwhile, experts believe that decentralization of education funding is crucial to addressing the unique needs of districts that have long struggled with inadequate infrastructure.
By placing resources directly into the hands of local authorities, communities have a better chance to prioritize and implement projects that directly benefit their schools.
According to Asare, the previous approach to centralized education funding often resulted in delays and bureaucratic hurdles that slowed down progress.
This new structure empowers districts to act quickly and decisively, ensuring that urgently needed school infrastructure can be delivered within a shorter timeframe.
“At the previous rate of building 5 JHS every 10 years in Tatale Sanguli, it would have taken 48 years to address this infrastructure gap. This is why we must all support by monitoring fund use,” he said.
The government’s education funding shift also underscores a broader commitment to equitable access to education, particularly in marginalized and underserved areas.
The focus on constructing JHS blocks is seen as a major step towards improving overall student retention and academic performance across the country.
While the optimism surrounding this initiative is palpable, experts caution that successful implementation hinges on transparency, proper procurement processes, and vigilant oversight.
Past experiences have shown that without proper checks, such massive injections of funds can become vulnerable to corruption or misallocation.
Nonetheless, the potential benefits of this education funding model are undeniable. If executed effectively, it could serve as a blueprint for addressing long-standing disparities in Ghana’s educational landscape, offering thousands of children a fairer shot at academic success.
As the first phase of funds has already been disbursed, all eyes are now on the districts to see how efficiently they utilize these resources.
The coming months will serve as a crucial test for both local leadership and the broader accountability mechanisms being established by civil society groups like Eduwatch.
In Asare’s words, “This is why we must all support by monitoring fund use,” highlighting the critical importance of ensuring that resources are properly utilized to strengthen education.