Ghana’s education sector has emerged as one of the weakest performers in public financial management compliance, with the University of Ghana, the Ministry of Education, and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) all ranked in the lowest tier of a new government assessment.
The findings are contained in the Public Financial Management (PFM) Compliance League Table released by the Ministry of Finance, which evaluated 101 public institutions based on their adherence to the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) and related financial regulations.
A total of 19 institutions have been classified as “Least Compliant,” including three education-related bodies flagged for significant lapses.
The Ministry said the rankings are designed as an objective, evidence-based tool to benchmark performance and strengthen 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 category has drawn particular attention, given its status as the country’s leading public university.
In contrast, the Ghana Education Trust Fund performed better, placing 18th within the broader “Compliant” category—highlighting disparities in financial management practices within the education sector.
The Ministry of Finance indicated that it will engage directly with underperforming institutions through its PFM Compliance Division to address identified gaps. It also warned that stricter enforcement measures will be applied if significant improvements are not achieved.