Govt to build 10 new SHSs, upgrade 50 others under $300m education plan — Ato Forson

The government is set to construct 10 new secondary schools as part of a major initiative aimed at expanding infrastructure and improving learning conditions in Ghana’s second-cycle education sector.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced that the programme will also involve the rehabilitation of 50 existing secondary schools, as well as the upgrading of several institutions to increase their capacity and enhance the quality of education.

He made the disclosure while presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament on Thursday, July 23, outlining government’s plans to strengthen critical sectors, including education.

Dr Forson said education remains a key priority for national development, stressing that government is committed to improving access, infrastructure and learning outcomes for students across the country.

He explained that the investment is expected to address persistent challenges confronting secondary schools, including inadequate classroom facilities, limited learning spaces and poor school infrastructure.

“Mr. Speaker, education remains one of the most powerful investments we can make in the future of our country. Government is therefore taking bold steps to transform secondary education through a US$300 million World Bank financing,” Dr Forson told Parliament.

Under the initiative, government will undertake 210 major infrastructure projects nationwide, including the construction of 10 new secondary schools, rehabilitation of 150 existing schools, upgrading of 30 Category C schools to Category B status and 20 Category B schools to Category A status.

The programme will also include the provision of furniture for beneficiary schools to improve teaching and learning conditions.

Dr Forson said the intervention forms part of government’s broader efforts to modernise the education system and provide students with improved facilities to support academic development.