Ghana's University Enrollment: A Comprehensive Overview

Ghana has seen a dramatic increase in university enrolments over the past decade. In 2022, there were 635,000 students enrolled in tertiary education in Ghana, with the University of Ghana alone accounting for over 60,000 of those students. This rise in enrolments is partly attributed to Ghana's highly effective student loan program, which has allowed students from poorer families to access higher education funding.

University of Ghana has over 60,000 students

The University of Ghana is a public university located in Accra, Ghana. It is the oldest and largest of the six public universities in Ghana, with over 60,000 registered students. The university was founded in 1948 as the University College of the Gold Coast in the British colony of the Gold Coast. It was originally affiliated with the University of London, which supervised its academic programs and awarded degrees. After Ghana gained independence in 1957, the college was renamed the University College of Ghana. In 1961, it became the University of Ghana and gained full university status.

The University of Ghana is situated on the west side of the Accra Legon Hills, about 12 kilometers northeast of the center of Accra. The university has a Medical School in Korle-Bu, a suburb of Accra, with a Teaching Hospital and the Accra City Campus. It also has a School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, making it one of the few universities in Africa offering programs in Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Engineering.

The university has a strong focus on research and has identified four priority areas for international collaboration in research initiatives: Trans-disciplinary Research into Climate Change Adaptation, Enhancing Food Production and Processing, Development Policy, and Poverty Monitoring and Evaluation. The University of Ghana is also committed to national development and collaborates with other international institutions to support policy-making through its research institutes and centers.

The student population at the University of Ghana is diverse, with over 38,000 students enrolled in regular programs, sandwich programs, and distance education, as well as students from affiliate institutions. The university also attracts international students from over 70 countries, who join their regular undergraduate and graduate programs, study abroad programs, and special programs designed for international students. With its reputation as one of the continent's reputable universities, the University of Ghana continues to be the first choice for academics, researchers, and students alike.

20% of the wealthiest students attend university

Ghana's wealth inequality is reflected in its education system. The richest 20% of the population enjoys 46.6% of the nation's income and expenditure, while the poorest 20% have access to only 5.6%. This inequality is also seen in Ghana's education system, where students from the wealthiest 20% are overrepresented in higher education.

Ghana's higher education sector has seen impressive growth in recent years, with tertiary enrolments doubling between 2009 and 2015. However, this growth has been uneven, with the wealthiest students having greater access to university education. According to the World Bank, male students from the highest-income quintile are more than seven times more likely to enter and complete higher education than those from the poorest quintile. For female students, the situation is even more challenging, as only those from the richest 40% of the population are likely to pursue tertiary studies.

The gender disparity in higher education is a result of various factors, including hostile school environments, traditional gender roles, early arranged marriages, and teenage pregnancy. Additionally, the cost of higher education can be a barrier for students from lower-income backgrounds, even though public universities in Ghana are tuition-free. Other charges, such as registration, technology access, examinations, and medical services, can add up, leading to self-censorship behaviours, such as choosing teacher training colleges over universities.

To address these inequalities, some universities have lowered their minimum entry requirements or created scholarships for students from less-endowed secondary schools. The government has also implemented initiatives like the "Girls Education unit" within the Ghana Education Service to reduce gender-based disparities by focusing on basic education and preventing high drop-out rates from junior high to senior high school. As a result, between 1999 and 2005, the proportion of girls in higher education increased from 25% to 32%.

While progress has been made, more work is needed to ensure that higher education in Ghana is accessible to all, regardless of gender or socioeconomic status. With the country's rapid population growth and increasing demand for education, addressing these disparities will be essential to providing inclusive and high-quality education for all Ghanaian youth.

3% of 18-21-year-olds attend university

Ghana's tertiary institutions enrolled 635,000 students in 2022, an increase from previous years. This number includes students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and diploma programs across a wide range of fields. The country's universities are highly competitive, particularly in areas such as medicine, engineering, law, business, and pharmacy.

Assuming that the age range of 18-21-year-olds constitutes around half of the 18-24 age group, we can estimate that around 1.5% to 3% of 18-21-year-olds in Ghana are enrolled in university education. This estimation is based on the overall college enrollment rate for 18-24-year-olds being 39% in 2022.

Ghana's youth, aged 15-35, constitute a significant portion of the country's population, accounting for 38%. This large youth population has naturally become a central focus in policy discussions and governance. The current government, like its predecessors, has implemented various policies and programs aimed at addressing the aspirations and challenges of young people.

One notable challenge is the issue of unemployment, which is a key concern for Ghanaian youth. They want the government to prioritize economic management and job creation. Despite having higher educational attainment than their elders, young Ghanaians are more likely to be unemployed, with 27% reporting unemployment compared to 20% for 36-55-year-olds.

Ghana has taken steps to improve access to education, such as offering free secondary school and vocational training. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed economic growth and impacted the government's ability to create employment opportunities.

University enrolment has increased by 162% between 1983 and 1996

Ghana has seen a significant increase in university enrolment in recent years, with a particular uptick in the last decade. Between 1983 and 1996, total enrolment in universities and polytechnics increased by 162%, indicating a substantial rise in participation in higher education. This trend has continued in recent years, with enrolment numbers continuing to climb.

In 2014, 157,626 students enrolled in higher education in Ghana, more than double the number in 2005. This increase mirrors a global trend, with the number of students enrolled in higher education worldwide rising from 100 million to 207 million between 2000 and 2014. The gross enrolment ratio also increased during this period, from 19% to 34%, indicating that a growing proportion of the population is pursuing tertiary education.

Ghana's success in increasing university enrolment has been attributed to its highly effective student loan program, the Students Loan Trust Fund, which provides funding for students from less wealthy backgrounds. However, there are still inequalities in access to tertiary education, with 20% of Ghana's wealthiest students attending university, compared to less than 1% of the poorest.

Despite these disparities, Ghana's overall enrolment rates at all educational levels are improving. The youth literacy rate is significantly higher than the national average, with 71% of young people aged 15 to 24 able to read and write. Primary school enrolment rates have also increased, rising from 57% in 1999 to 65% in 2004. However, completion rates remain a challenge, with only 63% of students surviving to the fifth year of primary education.

Ghana's transition to democracy in the 1990s brought economic challenges, including rising deficits and a crippling debt burden. Despite these difficulties, the country has maintained economic stability since 2000, with an average annual GDP growth of around 5%. This economic stability may also have contributed to the increasing enrolment rates in tertiary education.

Male students are more favoured in learning opportunities than female students

Ghana has made significant progress in recent decades when it comes to girls' access to education. In 2019, the country achieved almost complete gender parity in enrollment in primary and secondary education. However, despite these advancements, male students are still more favoured in learning opportunities than female students in Ghana, especially at the tertiary level.

According to data, the gender parity index for tertiary education in Ghana indicates that male students are favoured over female students in terms of learning opportunities. This disparity is also reflected in enrollment statistics, where women only make up 34.9% of tertiary enrollment. The preference for male students in tertiary education is particularly notable given that Ghana achieved a gender parity score of 61% in 2019, ranking 7th in all of sub-Saharan Africa.

Several factors contribute to male students being favoured in learning opportunities. One factor is the persistence of traditional gender norms and cultural beliefs. In Ghana, there is a longstanding cultural norm that women should not have responsibilities outside the home. Leadership and education are also traditionally associated with men and boys. As a result, women who pursue leadership positions or seek to continue their education beyond the basic level can face discrimination. Additionally, there is a cultural belief that the primary purpose of women is reproduction, so boys are often sent to school as they are expected to be the breadwinners for their families. This belief is reflected in the gender disparity in school enrollment, with urban schools in Ghana averaging two boys for every one girl.

Another factor contributing to the disparity is the economic situation of families. If a family cannot afford to send multiple children to school, they often choose to educate their sons over their daughters due to the expectation that sons will be the primary breadwinners. This decision is influenced by the cultural norms and the belief that girls will be supported by their husbands, reducing the perceived need for them to pursue higher levels of education.

Furthermore, the educational system itself has been accused of reinforcing gender stereotypes and norms. Teaching and learning materials have been described as heavily biased, perpetuating social norms and expectations for girls and boys that align with traditional gender roles. For example, curriculum materials often depict professionals such as politicians, lawyers, and managers as predominantly male, while individuals in caregiving roles are strongly depicted as females performing domesticated tasks. This messaging reinforces limitations and societal expectations on girls, influencing their aspirations and subject choices.

Despite the progress made in increasing girls' access to primary and secondary education, the transition to tertiary education remains a challenge. Ghana's government has recognized the remaining issues surrounding gender disparity and has implemented policies such as the Ghana Education Strategy Plan for 2018-2030, with a significant focus on gender equality. However, there are struggles with fully implementing these plans and ensuring a strong commitment from all actors to address the issue.

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