The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has asked the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to allocate GH¢100 million to St Paul’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) School at Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region to produce beds for senior high schools.

The proposal forms part of plans to address the shortage of beds and desks in schools across the country through local production.

Speaking on Joy FM on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Mr Iddrisu said he intends to demonstrate an innovative approach to resolving the furniture deficit this year.

“It is my thinking that the GETFund should allocate GHc100 million, let's dedicate it to St Paul's TVET school in Kukurantumi for them to partner two or three schools to produce beds. I have seen them [St Paul's] work with GIZ, we can elevate it to produce chairs,” he said.

Mr Iddrisu said he had already announced the proposal and formally written to GETFund to request the allocation.

He explained that GETFund was already procuring desks for schools and suggested that the procurement programme could be expanded to include beds to help address the nationwide shortage of school furniture.

The Minister added that other technical schools with the capacity to manufacture furniture would also be considered as part of the initiative.

The Education Minister Haruna also called for greater tolerance of dissent and constructive criticism in Ghana’s democracy, stressing that opposing views can help improve governance and the lives of citizens.

The Tamale South MP said public office holders must focus on making life easier for Ghanaians, regardless of their political differences.

“For the good of our democracy, it’s good to tolerate dissent, and it’s good to tolerate constructive criticisms,” he said.

He explained that such criticism should help strengthen the country’s governance structures and improve the quality of life of the Ghanaian.

“Ultimately, we’re all looking to a Ghana where life is easier for Ghanaians to make a living,” he stated.

Mr Iddrisu, a former Minority Leader, made the remarks while reflecting on parliamentary leadership and the challenges facing the current Minority.

He said Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin was doing his best but faced constraints because of his side’s numerical disadvantage in Parliament.

“The current Minority Leader, Afenyo-Markin, is doing his utmost best, but he’s simply overwhelmed with the numbers. Very little to do, very little influence with those numbers,” he said