Civil society groups are warning that Ghana’s efforts to build an inclusive education system risk stalling unless government significantly increases funding and addresses systemic barriers affecting children with special needs.
At a stakeholders’ forum on advancing inclusive education, participants raised concern that less than one per cent of national budget allocations between 2022 and 2026 had gone into the sector—far below what is required to sustain meaningful progress.
The meeting, organised by African Education Watch and the Centre for Research and Development with support from the Star Ghana Foundation, highlighted critical gaps in infrastructure, teaching capacity, and learning resources across basic schools.
A joint assessment conducted in the Northern Region revealed that many schools lack essential disability-friendly facilities such as ramps, accessible toilets, and appropriate classroom furniture. In addition, the shortage of assistive learning tools—including braille materials and hearing aids—continues to limit participation for students with disabilities.
Stakeholders also pointed to inadequate teacher preparation, noting that many educators lack the training needed to effectively manage diverse learning needs in mainstream classrooms.
The groups are now calling for a minimum allocation of two per cent of the national budget to inclusive education, arguing that increased investment would support infrastructure improvements, procurement of assistive technology, and specialised teacher training.
They further urged the Ministry of Education to enforce strict compliance with disability-friendly school design standards, while calling on the Ghana Education Service to strengthen data systems to better identify and support children with special needs.
Executive Director of Eduwatch, Kofi Asare, acknowledged progress made under the National Inclusive Education Policy but stressed that implementation challenges must be urgently addressed to avoid leaving vulnerable learners behind.
Similarly, Mohammed Mahamud said the findings should guide policymakers in tackling structural barriers and prioritising inclusive education as a fundamental right.
Stakeholders say without decisive action and increased investment, Ghana’s goal of equitable and accessible education for all risks remaining out of reach.
