Educating Ghana’s Girls: The Key to a Prosperous Future

In the heart of West Africa, Ghana stands at a crucial crossroads. The nation has made admirable strides in improving access to education, but a vital element of sustainable development remains stubbornly elusive—female education. Despite policy reforms and targeted programs, girls in Ghana continue to face deep-rooted obstacles that prevent them from fully accessing and benefiting from the transformative power of education. This article offers a comprehensive analysis of the current state of female education in Ghana, exploring the challenges, assessing recent interventions, and highlighting why investing in girls’ education is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic one.

The Reality on the Ground

Ghana’s journey toward gender parity in education tells a story of both progress and persistent inequality. The percentage of women aged 15 to 45 with no formal education dropped from 35% in 1993 to 19% by 2014, according to the Ballard Brief. This is a remarkable improvement—but still double the rate for men, which fell from 23% to 9% during the same period. While more girls are entering school, many are not staying long enough to reap the full benefits of education. For instance, in 2012, primary school completion rates stood at 89.3% for boys and 84.3% for girls. But the disparity grows sharper at higher levels—at senior high school, for every 100 boys enrolled, only 68 girls were present.

Location and income levels further deepen the divide. Girls from affluent urban households can expect to receive up to 13 years of education. Their peers in rural, impoverished areas average just four years—barely enough to lay the foundations for a productive future. These numbers are more than statistics; they reflect thousands of missed opportunities and untapped potential.

Barriers that Still Bind

Why does the gender gap in education persist in Ghana? The answer lies in a complex web of social, economic, and infrastructural challenges. Cultural norms remain one of the most potent barriers. Child marriage continues to derail educational trajectories, with one in five Ghanaian women married before the age of 18. Among married girls, 41.6% have received no education, and just 4.7% make it to secondary school.

Poverty compounds the problem. Despite Ghana’s commendable efforts to introduce fee-free basic education, hidden costs—including textbooks, uniforms, and transportation—remain prohibitive for many families. In 2015, these additional costs averaged 793 GHC (around $168 USD) per child. In such households, when hard choices must be made, boys are often favored over girls. Many girls are also pulled out of school to contribute to household income, particularly in the form of unpaid domestic labor. Alarmingly, of the 25% of Ghanaian children engaged in economic activity, 90% of the girls are involved in domestic work.

Even when girls manage to attend school, the quality of education they receive can be uneven, particularly in remote areas. The proportion of trained teachers has dropped significantly, from 72% in 1999 to just 55% in 2017, with the decline most pronounced in northern and rural regions. Teacher absenteeism—estimated at 27% annually—further undercuts classroom learning. Meanwhile, textbooks often reinforce traditional gender stereotypes, portraying men in professional roles and women as caregivers, subtly shaping what girls imagine they can become.

Then there’s the overlooked, yet crucial, issue of menstrual hygiene. Without adequate facilities and supplies, many girls miss between 30 to 50 days of school each year. In higher education, 36.9% of university-aged women report that menstruation has negatively impacted their academic performance. The north of Ghana paints the grimmest picture—men there average 0.9 years of education, while women average just 0.1.

Turning the Tide: Policies and Programs Offering Hope

Yet amidst these challenges, there are rays of hope. Ghana has committed to tackling these issues head-on through a blend of policy reform, institutional support, and international collaboration. The Ministry of Education's Girls’ Education Unit, active since 1997, has ensured that every region and district has a dedicated officer focused on enhancing girls’ educational outcomes. The Ghana Education Strategic Plan 2018–2030 is ambitious in scope, aiming to widen access, improve equity, and boost quality across all levels of education.

Recent investments are beginning to show promise. The government’s decision to allocate at least 23% of the national budget to education through 2025 reflects a significant political commitment. The rollout of STEM-focused secondary schools and the “1 Student 1 Laptop” initiative seeks to prepare a new generation for a tech-driven future. Over 2,400 students, many of them girls, are now enrolled in these specialized institutions.

Non-governmental organizations are also playing a critical role. CAMFED has supported over 836,000 students across Ghana, helping to keep girls in school and on track. The Girls Empowerment League, founded by Adeline Nyabu, connects young girls with successful female mentors, creating role models who inspire persistence and ambition. GNECC, a network of civic groups, advocates for gender-sensitive infrastructure, including menstrual hygiene facilities and disability-friendly environments, fostering safer, more inclusive schools.

At the international level, UNICEF and the Global Partnership for Education are investing in teacher training, focusing on gender sensitivity and the expansion of girls’ access to STEM. Programs like the Mobile School Report Card and the Inclusive Education Policy are enhancing transparency and making sure no child is left behind, including those with special needs.

The Ripple Effects of Educating Girls

Why does all this matter? Because the ripple effects of female education extend far beyond the classroom. Educated women are more likely to work, earn a steady income, and reinvest in their families and communities. Currently, only 9% of employed women in Ghana earn consistent wages, compared to 28% of men. Bridging this gap will require equipping girls with the skills and confidence to participate meaningfully in the economy.

The benefits also extend to health. Educated women are more likely to access reproductive health services, use contraception, and delay childbirth—all of which reduce maternal mortality and improve child survival rates. In 2015, Ghana’s maternal mortality rate stood at 319 per 100,000 births, well above the global average of 216. Female education is one of the most effective tools for reversing this trend.

Socially, education empowers girls to delay marriage, reduce their exposure to violence, and challenge limiting gender norms. It cultivates leadership, nurtures self-worth, and fosters civic engagement. And at a national level, it builds a smarter, more skilled workforce ready to fuel Ghana’s projected 5.48% annual economic growth between 2024 and 2028.

Where Do We Go from Here?

The evidence is overwhelming: when you educate a girl, you change her life—and quite possibly, the future of her nation. Ghana’s recent efforts are commendable, but they must go further and deeper. Policymakers, educators, families, and communities must all work together to create an environment where girls are not only allowed to learn, but are encouraged, supported, and empowered to thrive.

More investment is needed in teacher training, especially with a focus on gender-sensitive pedagogy. Schools must be equipped with safe, hygienic facilities that meet the needs of girls. Advocacy campaigns must tackle the cultural and social norms that continue to prioritize boys over girls. And most importantly, the voices of young girls themselves must be at the center of this movement—because when they are heard, change follows.

In Ghana, the future is female—and it’s educated.