The Challenges of Tertiary Education in Ghana and Its Impact on Education Financing.

Abstract

There are a lot of challenges in tertiary education in Ghana; these are the major developments that affect education funding. A literature review and mixed-method analysis of Ghana's higher education system has been conducted by which we have identified critical infrastructural, financial, and governance issues in Ghana's higher education structure. The key findings are that poor state support of higher education facilities, lack of access to health care in Ghana and a lack of quality assurance in the system and poor implementation of the quality assurance process can make institutions more and more financially challenged. It is well-known that universities in Ghana are still waiting for government funding, lack of research infrastructure and lack of self-financing. At the same time, they have developed new challenges in areas which are emerging from neoliberal policies and weak policy implementation, and where access is not equal. Moreover, our study shows that good financing mechanisms (public-private partnerships, cost management, and diversified revenue sources) are needed to address these problems. We suggest a comprehensive policy package that is better at government funding and institutional autonomy, fiscal prudence, and collaborative funding models to promote sustainable tertiary education in Ghana.