Ghana’s Minister of Education has formally requested that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) provide GH¢250 million this year to expand facilities at the country’s most sought-after senior high schools, aiming to ease overcrowding caused by rising enrolment under the Free SHS policy.
What the funding is for
The minister has indicated the money would be targeted at Category A institutions — the schools that routinely attract the highest demand during the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) process. Planned works include the construction of additional classrooms and student accommodation, with proposals to build two dormitories at selected schools (one male, one female).
- Targeted schools mentioned include Achimota School, Wesley Girls’ High School, Holy Child, Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC) and Prempeh College.
- Other infrastructure needs are expected to be addressed through a World Bank–supported programme.
- The minister has already discussed the request with the GETFund administrator, according to reporting.
Context and wider plans
The minister linked the urgency for more places to recurring difficulties experienced when demand for particular schools outstrips supply during the CSSPS allocations. To reduce central pressure on Category A schools, officials are also pursuing longer-term measures that broaden access closer to communities.
Among these measures, the president has directed development of model day schools in specific districts, including Nima and Ayawaso, within a larger initiative expected to be launched once procurement is complete. That initiative is reported to involve a US$300 million project.
Specialist and community provision
The minister additionally outlined plans to establish specialist education institutions in Ho and Sunyani, and said a similar project is being considered for Kintampo. He emphasised that, while attention is being given to senior high expansion, long-term resource allocation should also prioritise basic education.
| School | Planned intervention |
|---|---|
| Achimota School | Additional classrooms; possible dormitories |
| Wesley Girls' High School | Additional classrooms; possible dormitories |
| Holy Child | Additional classrooms; possible dormitories |
| PRESEC | Additional classrooms; possible dormitories |
| Prempeh College | Additional classrooms; possible dormitories |
The combination of immediate capital requests and parallel projects is intended to tackle both short-term overcrowding and longer-term distribution of places across the country. Parents and students affected by CSSPS allocations should expect announcements on procurement and construction timetables as the projects advance.
Further updates on funding decisions, procurement milestones and timelines for the proposed classroom and dormitory builds are likely to follow discussions between the ministry, GETFund and development partners.
