The government has directed the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to set aside GH¢100 million every year from 2027 to support special needs education across the country.
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced the decision at a press conference on Thursday, July 2, describing it as a major step toward ensuring sustainable funding for free education for learners with special needs and disabilities under the amended GETFund Act.
According to the Minister, the annual allocation has already been incorporated into the 2026 GETFund budget formula and will continue throughout the tenure of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
“From 2027 into 2028 and every other year during the tenure of President John Dramani Mahama, this GH¢100 million will be allocated to support special needs education, allowing for effective implementation and ensuring that persons with special needs receive the support they deserve,” he said.
Haruna Iddrisu said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to making education accessible to every child, regardless of physical ability or background.
He noted that disability should never be a barrier to education, stressing that every learner deserves equal opportunities to succeed.
“Special needs and disability never mean limited opportunity. The promise of education must reach every child in every community regardless of ability, background, gender and circumstance,” he stated.
The Education Minister disclosed that Ghana currently has 39 public special and integrated schools. These include 29 special boarding schools, seven integrated schools for learners with visual impairment and three integrated schools for students with hearing impairment, serving about 9,000 learners nationwide.
As part of efforts to improve the welfare of students in these institutions, he also announced an increase in the daily feeding grant for learners in special schools from GH¢8 to GH¢15.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing the resources needed to ensure that learners with special needs have access to quality education and the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
