Eduwatch welcomes decision by Education Minister to ensure govt uncaps GETFund 

Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare has welcomed the decision by the new Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu to work with the Finance Minister to uncap the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).

Kofi Asare stated that when the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Addo capped the GETFund, the decision was met with fierce resistance from civil society but the previous government did not heed their call.

Therefore, it is refreshing to note the Mahama administration has decided to listen to them and uncap the GETFund.

In a post on his Facebook page, he said “Ken Ofori-Atta, former Finance Minister capped GETFund, denying education over GH 10 billion when over 5000 basic schools operated under trees and sheds. We protested for 7 years but he wouldn’t listen. The pronouncement by the Education Minister 9Haruna Iddrisu)  to work with the Minister of Finance to uncap GETFund, as promised in the NDC’s manifesto is great!”

It is recalled that when he appeared before Parliament’s Appointment Committee on Monday, January 20, Mr. Iddrisu noted that President Mahama has committed to reviewing the International Monetary Fund agreement, and part of that review will focus on uncapping GETFund to free up resources for education financing, particularly higher education.

“President Mahama and the Minister of Finance have gone public, and I joined them in saying that we will uncap the GETFund to free additional resources to support robust infrastructure development.”

He criticised the decision by a former Minister of Finance to cap GETFund, which he said has significantly limited the fund’s capacity to address critical infrastructure needs in the education sector.

“Capped, GETFund currently generates about GHS 3.2 billion. Uncapping it will make available GHS 7.9 billion to the Ministry of Education, which will accelerate expanded infrastructure development,” he stated.