“Ghana Can’t Rely on Donor Funding for Education”: President Mahama Says

“Ghana Can’t Rely on Donor Funding for Education”: President Mahama Says

  • President John Dramani Mahama called for an urgent mobilisation of domestic funds to improve the country's education sector
  • He was speaking at the 2025 Doha Forum in Qatar, where he emphasised that the country cannot keep relying on external funds to improve
  • President Mahama also spoke about Ghana's agricultural sector, where he said the country needs to improve its agricultural practices

President John Dramani Mahama said Ghana must urgently mobilise domestic funds to improve and strengthen the education system. He argued that a long-term, sustainable education sector cannot rely mainly on external financial resources.

President John Dramani Mahama, Education in Ghana, Ghana education, International donors, 2025 Doha forum, GETFund, Internal funds.
President Mahama calls for Ghana to mobilise internal funds to improve the education sector. Photo credit: @GhanaPresidency/X & Getty Images
Source: UGC

President Mahama made these remarks when he spoke at the 2025 Doha Forum in Qatar. According to him, although assistance from donors is important, true progress in education requires consistent and reliable internal funding anchored in national ownership and responsibility.

He cited the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) as a successful example of Ghana’s ability to generate local funds for education through its 2.5% VAT contribution on goods and services.

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“At a point in time, we realised that education was a key sector to Ghana’s progress and development, so as a nation, we decided to contribute 2.5% VAT on everything we purchase, and that goes into the Ghana Education Trust Fund. That fund alone is able to mobilise sufficient revenue.”

The President added that for Ghana to mobilise more domestic funds for the education system, it must strengthen domestic revenue systems and ensure stable support for infrastructure, learning materials, and tertiary education expansion.

Mahama calls for overhaul in agricultural practices

At the same forum, President Mahama said Ghana must also improve its agricultural practices considering rapidly changing climatic conditions.

He emphasised that Ghana can no longer depend on rain-fed agriculture and called for major investment in irrigation systems to support farmers and secure food production.

“We need to adapt our agriculture to a new reality. That means we must put more land under irrigation. Poor farmers will not be able to afford the cost that comes with it, and that is why my government has decided to embark on appropriate and affordable irrigation for farmers.”

President Mahama reiterated that improved irrigation infrastructure would boost productivity, create rural jobs, stabilise food supply, and enhance climate resilience.

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President John Dramani Mahama, Education in Ghana, Ghana education, International donors, 2025 Doha forum, GETFund, Internal funds, Ghanasco.
President John Mahama surprises Ghanasco students in class. Photo credit: @JDMahama & popokwgh.
Source: UGC

President Mahama surprises Ghanasco students

In an earlier publication, YEN.com.gh reported that President Mahama surprised some students of Ghana Secondary School, Tamale.

The President made a surprise classroom visit during Ghanasco’s 65th anniversary in Tamale.

He was joined by Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu and other dignitaries, who were present and turned a simple prep time into a memorable moment for the students.

Top four reasons for poor WASSCE results

In an another story, YEN.com.gh reported that a survey conducted on SHS teachers in the wake of the 2025 WASSCE has stirred reactions online.

The survey identified factors which contributed to candidates' poor performance in the 2025 WASSCE.

Social media users who saw the findings of the survey shared their thoughts in the comment section.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Magdalene Larnyoh avatar

Magdalene Larnyoh (Human-Interest editor) Magdalene Larnyoh writes for the Human Interest Desk at YEN.com.gh. She has over ten years of experience in media and communications. She previously worked for Citi FM, Pulse Ghana, and Business Insider Africa. She obtained a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in 2012. Reach out to her on magdalene.larnyoh@yen.com.gh