Private Sector Led Infrastructure Development: A Viable Solution?

Last week, I had the opportunity to sit in a presentation by Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, the Presidential Advisor on Health at the Office of the President. After the presentation of the government’s achievements and plans on health, he allowed questions, but no one would ask. So, I raised my hand before the MC would end the engagement. I have a lot of respect and admiration for Dr. Nsiah-Asare. His achievements, accomplishments, and consistency are admirable and I look up to him. I decided to ask him a question to get his thoughts.

My question bordered on the infrastructural among other resource challenges faced by health training institutions. I asked why the government would focus on paying trainee allowances when the institutions whose students receive the allowance face fundamental challenges. Interestingly, in unison, the students shouted that they wanted the payment of allowances to continue. My thoughts also included why we cannot admit that the government struggles to pay the allowances promptly. Well, I was not expecting to admit.

His response in sum was that the government believes the provision of infrastructure such as hostels should be private sector led. Maybe I didn’t estimate right, and I may not have the full complement of data to argue. But whichever way one argues, infrastructure remains paramount in tertiary education and education at all levels. When he mentioned the private sector, the BOT (Build, Operate, and Transfer) model came to my mind. Dr. Nsiah-Asare also added that their approach would also consider long-term to ensure the private developers recoup their investments before eventual transfer.

I agree the private sector is the engine of growth and development. I also agree that the government is burdened and may not have the means to provide for the needs of everyone. However, wouldn’t a private sector-led infrastructural provision burden students, parents and guardians? How can the institutions control how much the private investors charge to ensure students are not shortchanged?

Let’s take university students for instance. The difference between what the university halls of residence charge for accommodation and that of private hostels is evidently significant. Do we want the same to be replicated across training institutions? Let’s not forget that the cost of average accommodation for university students is almost twice the academic facility user fees if not more.

What prevents the government from suspending the payment of allowances for some years to be able to close the infrastructural gap? Well, maybe I’m not thinking straight. Maybe I don’t have data. Probably I’m saying this because I don’t have any interest in the issue. Or perhaps I don’t have a strong allegiance to any political party. Anaa because I’m neither a benefactor nor beneficiary. I’m only a student of development so my concern is development focused. It’s no respecter of person or party. My focus is on progress and betterment for all.

The author is a writer, entrepreneurship expert, business and life coach, entrepreneur, farmer, trainer, and teacher.

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