GETFund allocates GH¢100m to support free education for persons with special needs

The Government has earmarked GH¢100 million through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to support the implementation of free education for persons with special needs, as part of efforts to strengthen inclusive and equitable education across the country.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu announced the allocation during the Government's Accountability Series on Monday, July 20, 2026, revealing that the funding follows amendments to the GETFund Act that provide dedicated financial support for learners with disabilities.

According to the Minister, the recent amendments to the GETFund Act introduced new funding obligations aimed at strengthening Ghana's education sector.

Among the key changes is a statutory provision requiring GETFund to provide annual financial support for free education for persons with special needs.

When the GETFund Amendment Act was presented before Parliament, it was to amend the GETFund Act. One was to dedicate the financing of Free Senior High School feeding to GETFund. The second was also to dedicate fees for persons with disabilities to GETFund," Mr Iddrisu explained.

He said the legislation reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that learners with disabilities have equal access to quality education.

In that amendment was an amendment for GETFund to annually provide for the provision of free education for persons with special needs to keep them with our pledge as a government to promote inclusive and equitable education," he added.

As part of this commitment, GETFund has allocated GH¢100 million to finance the implementation of the programme nationwide.

The Education Minister announced that, for the first time in many years, government will procure assistive learning devices for students with disabilities to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

According to him, the intervention is expected to benefit learners with various forms of physical, visual and hearing impairments across the country.

"Accordingly, GETFund has allocated GH¢100 million to support the implementation of the free education for persons with special needs."

"For the first time in many years, assistive devices will be procured to support learners with difficulties across the country," Mr Iddrisu stated.

The initiative is expected to improve accessibility and help create a more inclusive learning environment within Ghana's education system.

Beyond financial support, the government is also planning major infrastructure improvements at several special education institutions.

Mr Iddrisu disclosed that rehabilitation works will soon begin at:

• Akropong School for the Blind
• Savelugu School for the Deaf
• A special needs school in the Upper West Region

The projects are intended to improve learning conditions and provide safer, more conducive educational environments for students with disabilities.

The Minister also announced a significant increase in feeding grants for students enrolled in special education institutions.

Under the new arrangement, the daily feeding allocation has increased from GH¢8 to GH¢15.

We have also, as a government, increased the feeding grants for students with special needs from GH¢8 to GH¢15, and we have walked the talk on this matter," Mr Iddrisu said.

The increase is expected to improve nutrition and welfare for learners in special schools across Ghana.

As part of broader reforms to strengthen inclusive education, the Ministry of Education is developing specialised curricula tailored to the needs of learners with disabilities.

The Minister revealed that work is currently underway to produce:

• A Mathematics curriculum for learners with visual impairment
• A standardised Ghanaian Sign Language curriculum for hearing-impaired learners

According to Mr Iddrisu, these initiatives will ensure that learners with disabilities receive high-quality education suited to their unique learning needs.

We are developing a Mathematics curriculum for learners with visual impairment and developing a standardised sign language curriculum for hearing-impaired learners in the country," he said.

The Education Minister said the allocation of GH¢100 million, the rehabilitation of special schools, increased feeding grants, procurement of assistive devices and curriculum reforms demonstrate the government's determination to build an education system that leaves no learner behind.

He stressed that promoting inclusive and equitable education remains a key priority of the Mahama administration as it seeks to improve access, quality and opportunities for persons with disabilities throughout Ghana.