Higher Education Financing in Ghana: The Case of Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund)

Authors

  • Fredua Kwasi-Agyeman Central University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/sx61nk46

Keywords:

Higher education, Financing, Autonomy

Abstract

I examine the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), an agency established by the Ghanaian government to finance higher education institutions.  I focus on the organizational and governance structure of the GETFund and the autonomy of the GETFund. Some important research questions in the literature include the justification for creating such funds, the extent of power these funds hold, and the degree of control sector ministries exert over them. If the autonomy and control issues are addressed properly by giving the GETFund a more appropriate level of autonomy, the Fund can use its resources to the fullest. Still, as it stands, it appears that the GETFund does not have its statutory autonomy, leading to a clash of goals. This limited autonomy of the GETFund does not help the management of the fund understand the complexity of the revenue streams and their effect on the GETFund’s organizational and governance structure.

References

Abass, A., Opoku, O. G., David, A. M., Daniel, O., & Brown, E. (2024). The influence of foreign aid on the landscape of higher education in Ghana: a multi-stakeholder analysis. Cogent Education, 11(1), 1-19.

Acquah, A. (2021). Higher education finance between Ghana and the United States. Current Issues in Comparative Education, 23(1), 90-108.

Addo, P. K., & Adusei, A. (2021). Risk management in higher education: The role of educational leaders in translating policy into practice in the Ghanaian context. The IEA Classroom Environment Study, 49(2), 146-162.

Atuahene, F. (2009). Financing higher education through Value Added Tax: A review of the contribution of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) in fulfillment of the objectives of Act 581. Journal of Higher Education in Africa, 7(3), 29-60.

Awotwe, E., Sam, P. A., & Tackie, D. A. G. (2020). Higher education financing in Ghana: A review of gaps in practice. Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 25(10), 57-65.

Bernhold, T., & Wiesweg, N. (2021). Principal-agent theory: Perspectives and practices for effective workplace solutions. In T. Bernhold & N, Wiesweg (Eds.), A Handbook of Management Theories and Models for Office Environments and Services (pp. 117-128). Taylor & Francis.

Blom-Hansen, J., Serritzlew, S., & Villadsen, A. R. (2024). Do managers make use of increased autonomy? Evidence from large-scale organizational reform. Public Performance & Management Review, 47(6), 1453-1481.

Boamah, S. A. (2015). Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) at 10: A decade of dedicated service to the Ghanaian tertiary students. The launch of the 10th Anniversary. Accra International Conference Centre. Accra, Ghana.

Bokpe, S. J. (2018, May 3). Students loan increase puts pressure on fund. Daily Graphic. https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/students-loan-increase-puts-pressure-on-fund.html

Bondzi–Simpson, P. E., & K. S. Agomor. (2021). Financing public universities in Ghana through strategic agility: Lessons from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 22(1), 1-15.

Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods. Oxford University Press.

Buchanan, J., Chai, D. H., & Deakin, S. (2014). Agency theory in practice: A qualitative study of hedge fund activism in Japan. Corporate Governance: An International Review, 22(4), 296-311.

Colin, T. (1994). The agency idea: Sometimes old, sometimes new, sometimes borrowed, sometimes untrue. Routledge.

Dadzie, D. S. (2009). Cost sharing and equity in higher education: Experiences of selected Ghanaian students. Ohio University.

Effah, P. (2003). Ghana. In D. Teffera & P. G. Altbach, (Eds.), African higher education: An international reference handbook (pp. 338- 349). Indiana University Press.

Greenberg, J. (2011). Behavior in organizations. Prentice Hall.

Juyumaya, J., Torres-Ochoa, C., & Rojas, G. (2024). Boosting job performance: the impact of autonomy, engagement and age. Revista de Gestão, 31(4), 397-414.

Kamala, M., & Mustafa, A. (2024). The performance of training executive agencies in Tanzania: Do skills and skill-based organizational strategies matter? Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 37(6), 357-371.

Kassim, H., & Menon, A. (2003). The principal-agent approach and the study of the European Union: promise unfulfilled? Journal of European Public Policy, 10(1), 121-139.

Lægreid, P., Roness, P., & Rubecksen, K. (2006). Performance management in practice: The Norwegian way. Financial Accountability and Management, 22(3), 251-269.

Laffont, J. J. (Ed.). (2003). The principal-agent model: The economic theory of incentives. Elgar.

Lane, J. E. (2008). Comparative politics: The principal-agent perspective. Routledge.

Marina, V., & Irina, P. (2025). Higher economic education for sustainable development. Urals State University of Economics.

Mintzberg, H. (2009). Structure in fives: Designing effective organizations. Prentice Hall.

Molander, P., Nilsson, J. E., & Schick, A. (2002). Does anyone govern? The relationship between the Government Office and the agencies in Sweden. Stockholm: Centre for Business and Policy Studies.

National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). (2017). Annual Report. Author.

National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). (2021). Annual Report. Author.

OECD. (2004). OECD principles of corporate governance. Contaduría y Administración.

Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. Sage.

Pongo, F. K. S. (2018). Providing alternative solutions to the current affordability and accessibility challenges facing higher Education in Ghana. (PhD Thesis, Fielding Graduate University).

Rubin, J. H, & Rubin, S. I. (2005). Qualitative interviewing: The art of hearing from data. Sage.

Salmi, J. (2003). Student loans in an international perspective: The World Bank experience. World Bank.

Sawyerr, A. (2001). The student loans scheme: Two decades of experience in Ghana. National Council for Tertiary Education. Tertiary Education Series 1(3), 1-12.

Shen, H., & Ziderman, A. (2009). Student loans repayment and recovery: International comparisons. Higher Education, 57(3), 315-333.

Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF). (2019). Annual Report. Author.

Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF). (2020). Annual Report. Author.

Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF). (2023). Annual Report. Author.

Usher, A. (2005). Global debt patterns: An international comparison of student loan burdens and repayment conditions. Educational Policy Institute.

Verhoest, K. (2005). Effects of autonomy, performance contracting, and competition on the performance of a public agency: A case study. Policy Studies Journal 33(2), 235-258.

Verschuere, B. (2007).The autonomy–control balance in Flemish arm’s length public agencies. Management Review 19 (1), 107-133

Wildschut, A., Mncwango, B., Rogan, M., Rust, J., Fongwa, S., & Meiring, L. (2018). The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and its impact: Exploring the absorption into employment of NSFAS-funded graduates. Human Sciences Research Council.

Wilkins, A. W., & Mifsud, D. (2024). What is governance? Projects, objects, and analytics in education. Journal of Education Policy, 39(3), 349-365.

Wilson, W. (1887). The study of administration. Political Science Quarterly, 2(2), 197-222.

Woodhall, M. (2004). Student loans: potential, problems, and lessons from international experience. Journal of Higher Education in Africa, 2(2), 37-51.

Ziderman, A. (2013). Increasing access to higher education through student loans. CESifo DICE Report, 2(1), 11-18.

Downloads

Published

2026-01-27

How to Cite

Higher Education Financing in Ghana: The Case of Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). (2026). Higher Education Politics and Economics, 12(1), 2-21. https://doi.org/10.32674/sx61nk46