Education policy think tank Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has commended the government for translating campaign promises into concrete education policies but cautioned that funding delays, teacher shortages, and weak equity targeting could undermine progress if not urgently addressed.

In a new year statement marking what it describes as a “decisive phase” of Ghana’s education reform journey, Eduwatch said the integration of electoral commitments into the Education Strategic Plan through the Education Sector Medium Term Development Plan (2026–2029) reflects an inclusive and coherent policy direction as the country works toward Sustainable Development Goal 4 by 2030.

“The emphasis on inclusive governance, particularly the growing involvement of civil society organisations in policy design, dialogue, and accountability, represents a positive shift towards inclusive, evidence-based decision-making,” Eduwatch noted.

The education advocacy group pointed to the National Education Forum as a critical milestone, saying it helped build national consensus around the future of Ghana’s education system by incorporating inputs from political parties, civil society, and sector stakeholders. According to Eduwatch, this process has helped reduce the policy fragmentation that has historically disrupted education reforms.

Eduwatch also highlighted significant financing gains.

The uncapping of the GETFund, which it says unlocked about GH¢6 billion, boosted confidence in the government’s commitment to education funding. This move, it noted, contributed to education’s share of the national budget rising from GH¢32 billion in 2024 to GH¢42 billion in 2025.

A GH¢3.5 billion allocation to Free SHS was cited as further evidence of policy continuity. Eduwatch said securing a more reliable GETFund stream for Free SHS, alongside amendments to the GETFund law, has eased long-standing food procurement and supply challenges, although decentralised feeding arrangements still need refinement.

At the basic education level, the group welcomed the allocation of 22 per cent of the education budget, the highest in four years. It also acknowledged sustained increases in the Capitation Grant, the rollout of free sanitary pads for schoolgirls, and an increase in school feeding expenditure from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2.00 per child per day, with beneficiaries rising to 4.2 million learners.

Infrastructure investments were another bright spot. Eduwatch said decentralised financing has enabled the start of 261 new basic school projects nationwide, supported by over GH¢700 million from the District Assemblies Common Fund to address furniture shortages.

However, the group raised concerns about persistent fiscal constraints. It warned that the absence of teacher recruitment in 2025 has worsened teacher deficits, particularly in rural and deprived communities, increasing the risk of learning disruptions and pupil dropouts.

Eduwatch also criticised delays in releasing funds and procurement bottlenecks, especially for projects financed through the Consolidated Fund and the DACF. Most worrying, it said, is the lack of a deliberate equity-based approach to education financing, which risks widening rural–urban disparities.

Six months after the National Education Forum report was submitted to the President, Eduwatch noted that it had yet to be publicly released or followed by a White Paper.

“This delay risks undermining public confidence in the participatory policy-making approach adopted for the process,” the group warned, calling for an expedited government response.

On fiscal consolidation, Eduwatch expressed concern over expenditure caps imposed on World Bank–financed education projects, arguing that while fiscal discipline is necessary, prolonged caps are slowing implementation in critical areas such as skills development and foundational learning.

Looking ahead, Eduwatch urged the government to prioritise timely fund releases, improve procurement efficiency, remove expenditure caps on priority projects, and urgently deploy teachers to underserved schools within the first quarter of the year.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the government through technical assistance, evidence-based advocacy, and constructive accountability as Ghana works toward its 2030 education goals.