By:Kenneth Appiah Bani.
The Administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), Paul Adjei, has called for innovative and diversified funding sources to address the country’s school infrastructure needs across all educational levels.
Speaking at the National Education Forum in Ho, Volta Region, Adjei emphasized that Ghana’s heavy reliance on GETFund as the primary source of financing for school infrastructure is unsustainable. He urged stakeholders to explore alternative funding models, including private sector investments, community-driven initiatives, diaspora contributions, endowment funds, philanthropic foundations, and development partnerships.
Delivering a paper on Government and Stakeholder Partnerships in School Infrastructure Development in Ghana during one of the forum’s five breakout sessions, Adjei highlighted the potential of cost-effective and time-efficient solutions such as high-quality prefabricated materials for school construction projects. He noted that adopting these materials could significantly reduce costs and expedite project delivery.
The discussions also emphasized the importance of fostering community ownership and involvement in the management and maintenance of school facilities. Additionally, participants advocated for a phased approach to large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly at the tertiary level, to allow partial use of facilities before full completion.
The forum, themed Transforming Education for a Sustainable Future, was officially launched by President John Dramani Mahama at the Volta Serene Hotel. In his address, the President encouraged all Ghanaians to actively participate in shaping a comprehensive blueprint for the nation’s education development.
The infrastructure breakout session was chaired by Prof. Samuel Attintono, Principal of Accra College of Education, with distinguished educationists Prof. Mohammed Salifu and Mr. Kwame Azu moderating the discussions.
