By: Hannah Dadzie
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has raised concerns about how public universities are managing their Internally Generated Funds (IGF). He has called on the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the use of these funds.
Speaking at the commissioning of GTEC’s renovated Conference facility in Accra, Mr Iddrisu said while some universities claim to lack adequate funding, there are significant amounts of money lying unused in their accounts.
“You would be surprised that some universities complain about a lack of funds, yet there is enough money in their bank accounts,” he remarked.
Mr. Iddrisu stressed the urgent need to assess how IGF is being used to improve access to quality education and to support the development of educational infrastructure. He added that these funds could be better utilized to finance critical projects such as residential halls, hostels, and lecture theatres.
“While the government continues to support public universities, it is equally critical for the institutions to demonstrate prudent use of their own revenues. We must shine a light on how universities are utilizing their IGF and how it contributes to expanding access to higher education” he emphasised.
The Minister also expressed concern about the disconnect between university training and the needs of the job market. He called for stronger engagement between academia and industry to ensure that graduates are equipped with relevant skills.
“University training must respond to the manpower needs of the country,” he noted.
In support of inclusive education, Mr. Iddrisu revealed that the government is relying on GTEC to provide accurate data on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), in order to fulfill its pledge of offering free tertiary education to them.
To address ongoing funding challenges in the education sector, the Minister disclosed that the government, in the 2025 budget statement, has uncapped the GETFund. This move is intended to ensure dedicated funding for the full implementation of the Free Senior High School policy and free tertiary education for PWDs.
