President Mahama Secures $300m World Bank Funding to End SHS Double-Track and Reaffirms Ahafo University Pledge

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a significant boost to Ghana's educational infrastructure, securing a $300 million financing package from the World Bank. This funding is specifically earmarked to expand Senior High School (SHS) facilities with the primary goal of abolishing the double-track system by the end of 2027. The move is designed to reinforce the Free SHS policy by directly addressing the critical infrastructure deficits and overcrowding that have persisted due to high enrollment rates across the country.

In tandem with these national infrastructure goals, President Mahama has reiterated his pledge to establish the first public university in the Ahafo Region. Speaking during a meeting with the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, the President confirmed that the institution—a key promise from his 2024 campaign—is on track to be fully operational before the conclusion of his current term. To further support regional educational needs, the government is also moving to procure a new fleet of school buses, which will be funded through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to ease transportation challenges for students in the region.

Beyond education, the President detailed a broader developmental agenda aimed at supporting the nation's newly created regions. This includes the construction of six first-class regional hospitals, with procurement for the first three facilities already included in the current budget cycle. During the meeting, traditional leaders also praised the administration for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway project, which is expected to significantly improve transportation and commerce between the capital and the Ashanti and Ahafo regions.

These infrastructure investments are integrated into a wider economic strategy focused on sustainable job creation for the youth. President Mahama emphasized that modernizing the education sector is foundational to his administration's goal of processing at least 50% of Ghana’s cocoa, minerals, and other agricultural products domestically. By combining educational expansion with industrial value addition, the government aims to build a more resilient economy that provides long-term opportunities for the next generation of Ghanaians.