Implementing Public University Education Policies in Ghana: Challenges

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find out whether the objectives of post-independence reform policies of public universities in Ghana have been achieved and if not the challenges which have hindered their implementation. The study covered major priority areas such as funding, relevance, quality, access, equity, governance and management. The study was located within a qualitative research using historical comparative research design and involved 10 people who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through interviews and documentary analysis.  The interpretative approach and discourse analysis technique were used to analyse the data. The study concluded that massification of students and under-funding have had profound effects on quality, relevance, management, access and equity of university education.

The study recommended that a system of differentiation which means the provision of distinct types of tertiary education, articulation which refers to the mobility of students within the tertiary institutions and Open University should engage the attention of policy makers and government. This is because it has the potential of dealing with an increased demand for access to higher education at a lower cost.