Ghana’s education sector has emerged as one of the weakest performers in public financial management compliance, with the University of Ghana, Ministry of Education, and National Council for Curriculum and Assessment all placed in the lowest tier of a recent government assessment.
The findings are detailed in the Public Financial Management (PFM) Compliance League Table published by the Ministry of Finance, which assessed 101 public institutions based on their compliance with the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) and other related financial regulations.
A total of 19 institutions were classified under the “Least Compliant” category, with the three education-related bodies among those cited for significant deficiencies.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the rankings are designed as an objective and evidence-based benchmarking tool to enhance accountability across the public sector.
“By constructively ranking institutions based on their level of compliance, the Ministry seeks to deepen transparency, promote accountability, and encourage continuous improvement in the management and use of public resources,” the report stated.
The inclusion of the University of Ghana in the lowest tier is particularly striking, given its position as the country’s leading public university.
In contrast, the Ghana Education Trust Fund delivered a stronger performance, placing 18th within the broader “Compliant” category. This disparity in rankings highlights inconsistencies in financial management practices across the education sector.
The Ministry of Finance has indicated that it will engage directly with underperforming institutions through its PFM Compliance Division to identify gaps and implement corrective measures. It further warned that stricter enforcement actions will be applied if significant improvements are not achieved.
