Ghana cited in education financial mismanagement report on Africa

A study of education in seven African countries has found that in Ghana and six other countries, financial mismanagement and poor accountability is affecting the education of children.

According to a UPI report citing the study by Transparency International which examined school management in Ghana, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Uganda, majority of schools in these countries had no accounting systems and where they exist, they are deficient and most head teachers say they have no training in financial management.

The report said at least some parents in all seven countries reported being made to pay registration fees even though primary schools are legally free. Overall, 44% of the parents said they were charged fees, ranging from 9% in Ghana to 90% in Morocco.

Commenting on the report, Stephane Stassen of the Africa Education Watch programme called for improved supervision of schools, suggesting that increasing school enrolment is not enough, but accountability must also be improved.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi