Ghana's Ministry of Education - Agencies, Projects and Challenges

Agencies/Affiliates Under Ministry of Education, Ghana

In Ghana, the Ministry of Education oversees several agencies and bodies that work collaboratively to facilitate and enhance the country’s educational landscape. Some of the key agencies that work directly under the Ministry of Education are:

Ghana Education Service (GES): Responsible for the administration and management of pre-tertiary education in Ghana, including basic and secondary education. GES develops curricula, conducts examinations, and oversees the operations of public schools nationwide.
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA): Focuses on the development, review, and evaluation of curricula for basic and senior high schools to ensure relevance, quality, and alignment with national educational objectives.
National Accreditation Board (NAB): Regulates and accredits tertiary educational institutions, ensuring adherence to quality standards and facilitating the maintenance of high-quality education in Ghana.
Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET): Promotes and regulates technical and vocational education and training in the country, aiming to equip individuals with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
National Teaching Council (NTC): Responsible for the professionalization of teaching by setting standards, accrediting teacher education programs, licensing teachers, and promoting continuous professional development for educators.
Ghana Library Authority (GLA): Works towards promoting literacy and providing access to information through the establishment and management of libraries across the country.
Scholarship Secretariat: Administers scholarships and other educational grants to deserving Ghanaians for further studies both domestically and internationally.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It is a specialized agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting international collaboration in the fields of education, science, culture, and communication. Founded in 1945, UNESCO seeks to foster peace, sustainable development, and intercultural understanding through its various programs and initiatives.
West African Examinations Council (WAEC): It operates autonomously, it works in close coordination with the Ministry of Education in Ghana, particularly concerning the administration of examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) within the country.
National Board for Professional and Technician Examinations in Ghana (NABPTEX). It is a governmental agency responsible for the regulation, accreditation, and certification of professional and technician education in the country
National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA): It is an independent statutory body established to oversee and regulate the inspection, supervision, and quality assurance of pre-tertiary educational institutions in Ghana.
NON-FORMAL EDUCATION (NFED): NFED is a department under the Ministry of Education responsible for the implementation and coordination of non-formal education programs across the country. It focuses on providing educational opportunities to individuals who, for various reasons, have not had access to or completed formal education. NFED is now know as Complementary Education Agency (CEA) with the mandate to partner the GES to deliver complementary basic education to reach out-of-school-children.
National Service Scheme (NSS): It is a government program established by the National Service Act of 1980 (Act 426) to engage Ghanaian citizens who have completed tertiary education in a mandatory national service to the nation usually for one year.
Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF): The SLTF is a government agency established to provide financial support in the form of loans to Ghanaian tertiary students to help cover the cost of their higher education.
Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND): It is a government initiative established by an Act of Parliament in 2000 (Act 581) to provide financial resources for the support and enhancement of education in Ghana.
Ghana Book Development Corporation (GBDC): The Ghana Book Development Corporation is an institution established to promote and develop the book industry in Ghana.
Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS): It is an independent, non-political, and non-profit organization that serves as the national academy for the sciences and humanities in Ghana. It was established in 1959 by an Act of Parliament (Act 52) with the primary objective of promoting the pursuit, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge in various fields of science, technology, social sciences, and humanities.

The other are :

Center for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling (CENDLOS)
Commission for Technical and Vocational and Training (CTVET)
Computerized School Selection Placement System (CSSPS)
Encyclopedia Africana Project Secretariat (EAP)

These agencies play crucial roles in their respective areas within the education sector, collaborating to improve the quality of education, facilitate access to learning opportunities, and ensure the continuous development of the education system in Ghana.

Major Projects Under the Ministry of Education

The MoE has several major projects, including the following:

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (STEM)
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP)
ICT in Education Reform
Scholarships
Infrastructure projects

The transformational changes in Ghana’s education

The Ministry of Education in Ghana grapples with a myriad of challenges. These challenges impact the country’s educational landscape. Some of these includes;