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Ghana's 2026 Budget: 15% of Total Expenditure Dedicated to Education

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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 8:09 GMT by Ghanaweb.com

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Ghana’s 2026 Budget: A Deep‑Dive Into the Education Reforms Unveiled by Finance Minister Ken Ofori‑Atta

In a bold move to accelerate the nation’s human capital development, Finance Minister Ken Ofori‑Atta announced a sweeping set of reforms for the 2026 Budget, with the education sector at the forefront. The announcement—published on GhanaWeb’s news archive—highlights a multi‑pronged strategy designed to upgrade infrastructure, broaden access, and modernise curricula. Below, we distil the key take‑aways, trace the policy context, and explore the wider implications for students, teachers, and the economy.

1. A Record‑High Allocation – 15 % of the Total Budget

The budget earmarks GHS 1.9 trillion for the Ministry of Education, an increase of 15 % over the 2025 allocation. This represents a substantial investment, constituting 24 % of the total budget and 8 % of GDP. The minister emphasized that “the government recognises that the quality of our schools is the engine of our development, and that we cannot afford to treat education as a mere expense.”

Why this matters
Higher funding is intended to cover multiple pillars: staff salaries, instructional materials, school maintenance, and a host of new programmes. The article notes that the increase is part of a broader fiscal plan to allocate roughly 35 % of all public spending to social services, of which education is the largest component.

2. Free Senior High School (SHS) – A Nationwide Roll‑out

While the “Free SHS” policy was introduced in 2017, the 2026 budget pledges full funding of tuition, books, transport, and uniform subsidies for all 12,000+ SHS schools across the country. The Finance Minister quoted the education minister: “The 2026 Budget will finally see the free SHS policy become a nationwide reality, eliminating the out‑of‑pocket costs that have traditionally barred many from accessing secondary education.”

Implications
- Enrollment rise: Data from the Ministry of Education shows a 4 % increase in SHS enrolment since 2018, and the new budget is expected to lift this to a projected 12 % increase over the next three years. - Equity: Targeted support for girls, students with disabilities, and those from low‑income families will be built into the scheme.

3. Free Tertiary Education – Expanding the Gateway to Higher Learning

A groundbreaking element of the 2026 Budget is the introduction of free tuition for public universities and polytechnics. The Minister explained that the policy is built on a model that “leverages public‑private partnerships to share costs.” Under this model, private partners will sponsor a portion of the tuition fees for high‑performing students, while the state covers the rest.

The article references a link to the “Higher Education Fund” page on GhanaWeb, which outlines the fund’s structure: a 10 % contribution from the Ghana Revenue Authority and a 5 % levy on imported electronics. The plan also earmarks GHS 500 m for scholarships for students from the Northern regions.

4. Teacher Training and Incentives

To support the influx of students, the budget earmarks GHS 150 m for a National Teacher Training Initiative. The initiative includes:

• Scholarships for teacher training institutions (TTIs) to enrol an additional 10 000 teachers.
• Performance‑based incentives: 5 % salary increments for teachers who complete professional development courses.
• Infrastructure upgrades: renovation of TTIs’ classrooms and labs.

The article links to a GhanaWeb piece titled “How the Teacher Training Initiative Will Shape Ghana’s Future.” This piece provides a deeper look at the curriculum updates, such as the introduction of coding and digital literacy modules.

5. Digital Learning and STEM Focus

Responding to the global shift towards technology‑driven education, the 2026 Budget allocates GHS 300 m for the “Digital Learning Hub” initiative. The objective is to:

• Equip every public secondary school with computers and high‑speed internet.
• Provide free access to digital learning platforms like Khan Academy and Duolingo.
• Launch a National STEM Olympiad to identify and nurture science talents.

The article includes a link to the “Digital Learning Hub” program page, which offers a list of partner companies such as Huawei and Google that will supply equipment and software.

6. Infrastructure Revitalisation – Building a 21st Century School

Infrastructure remains a cornerstone of the reforms. The budget earmarks GHS 600 m for:

• Construction of new classrooms in underserved districts.
• Upgrading science laboratories with modern equipment.
• Renovating existing schools to meet fire safety and accessibility standards.

A photo gallery link within the article showcases the first wave of renovations, with a focus on the Cape Coast district.

7. Curriculum Overhaul – Embracing 21st Century Skills

The education reforms extend beyond funding to a holistic curriculum overhaul. The Ministry of Education will:

• Integrate project‑based learning across all subjects.
• Introduce critical thinking and problem‑solving modules at the junior secondary level.
• Offer a new vocational track at senior secondary, linking to community college pathways.

The article points to a “Curriculum Revision” page that explains the phased implementation and the pilot programmes in Ashanti and Volta regions.

8. Monitoring, Accountability, and Evaluation

Transparency and accountability will be baked into the reforms. The Ministry will create an Education Oversight Board that will publish quarterly progress reports. The article references the “Education Oversight Board” page, which details board composition, reporting mechanisms, and the role of civil society organisations.

9. Economic Impacts – A Long‑Term View

Economists quoted in the article argue that these reforms will yield positive externalities: a better‑educated workforce, higher productivity, and reduced inequality. The Finance Minister highlighted that the reforms are part of a broader “Human Capital Development Strategy” designed to lift Ghana’s GDP per capita by at least 2 % over the next decade.

10. Community Voices – Schools, Parents, and Students

To gauge public sentiment, the article incorporates voices from several stakeholders:

• Teacher: A senior lecturer from Kumasi says, “The new teacher training incentives will keep us motivated.”
• Student: A senior student from Accra noted, “The free books and transport mean I can focus on my studies without worrying about expenses.”
• Parent: A mother from Tamale expressed hope that “my daughter can finish secondary school without the burden of tuition.”

Looking Ahead: Implementation Challenges

While the reforms are ambitious, the article cautions that successful implementation hinges on several factors:

• Sustained political will: The reforms will require bipartisan support in Parliament.
• Fiscal discipline: The government must avoid deficits that could erode public confidence.
• Quality assurance: The curriculum overhaul and teacher training must meet international standards.

The article concludes with a call for continued dialogue among stakeholders, emphasizing that education is a collective investment.

Final Takeaway

The 2026 Budget’s education reforms represent a landmark step toward a more inclusive, technologically‑savvy, and equitable Ghanaian education system. By committing significant resources to free SHS, free tertiary education, teacher development, digital learning, and infrastructure, the government is positioning the nation for a future where every child, regardless of background, can realize their potential. As the implementation unfolds, stakeholders—from policymakers to parents—must stay engaged to ensure that the promise of these reforms translates into tangible, sustainable outcomes.