Prof. Peter Quartey of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has called on the government to reconsider its decision to cover the fees of first-year students in public universities.
Speaking to the media, he acknowledged that the initiative aligns with a campaign promise, but also questioned whether it addresses the most urgent needs in Ghana’s education sector.
“What about students in private universities?”he asked, pointing out that many students from underprivileged backgrounds end up in private institutions due to admission constraints in public universities. He argued that financial support should also extend to such students in need.
He also highlighted the poor infrastructure in basic schools, citing cases where pupils lack proper desks and are forced to sit on blocks or lie on the floor to write.
“Before covering fees for all, shouldn’t we prioritize improving basic education facilities?”
Prof. Quartey further raised concerns about accommodation shortages in universities, noting that only about 20% of students secure on-campus housing each year. He questioned whether it is efficient to pay tuition for students who struggle to find a place to stay.
He also called for a reassessment of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy and other social interventions to ensure sustainability and efficient resource allocation.
“We’re already struggling to sustain Free SHS. It’s important to review these policies to guarantee value for money,” he said.
Regarding the school feeding program, he welcomed the 33% funding increase but advocated for decentralized procurement to minimize political interference.
He expressed concern over reports of students receiving inadequate nutrition and urged reforms to improve meal quality.
On economic policies, Prof. Quartey emphasized the need to leverage ICT for better revenue collection and supported the reintroduction of road tolls, provided infrastructure improvements are made to prevent congestion.
Ghana’s economic growth is now projected to slow to 3.8% in 2025, down from the earlier forecast of 4%, raising concerns about recovery efforts. Industrial growth is also expected to decline sharply from 7.1% to 3.3%, despite recent tax reliefs and policies aimed at stabilizing the exchange rate and boosting the economy.
