Ghana Allocates Over 34% of National Budget to Education, Emphasizing Vocational Training

In a significant move to bolster the education sector, the Ghanaian government has allocated over 34% of the national budget to education, marking the highest investment in any sector. Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, Board Chairman of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and MP for Ho West, made this announcement during a sod-cutting ceremony for infrastructure projects at Afife Senior High Technical School (ASSETS) in the Volta Region.

Bedzrah emphasized the importance of investing in technical and vocational education as a means to prepare the youth for leadership roles and enhance their employability in a competitive job market. He urged students, particularly girls, to pursue education rigorously and acquire practical skills, especially in information technology.

The commitment to education is further reflected in the support for the Free Senior High School policy, which constitutes 45% of GETFund's budget. Plans for infrastructure improvements at ASSETS include the construction of dormitories and a school farm project aimed at increasing student enrollment and supporting local economic activities.

Local officials, including Ketu North MP Eric Edem Agbana and Municipal Director of Education Gerhard Avudzivi, praised the initiative, highlighting its potential to transform ASSETS into a fully operational boarding school and improve educational delivery in the region. The developments are seen as a crucial step towards addressing long-standing infrastructural challenges in Ghana's education system.