The African Foundation for Educational Development (AFFED) has described the allocation of GH¢207 million by the government as an allowance for teacher trainees as a “misplaced priority”.
The amount was announced by Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, during the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government to Parliament.
“We have also allocated GH₵207 million / $18.8 million for Teacher Trainee Allowances,” the Minister stated.
The Foundation believes the stated amount could have been channeled to employing teachers to subdue the teacher deficit in the country, rather than using it as allowances for trainees.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Ernest Adade, and issued on Monday, November 17, 2025, it said the amount in question could have catered for the salaries of 5,000 new teacher recruits at the basic education subsector.
“Based on the allocation, the same amount could recruit and pay the annual salaries of approximately 5,000 new teachers, a far more impactful investment in strengthening Ghana’s education system.”
It questioned why many trained teachers are remaining unemployed after their training, amid a teacher deficit in the basic education sector, for the government to be paying allowances to trainees.
Find below the full statement issued by the Foundation:
Budgeting for Teacher Trainees Allowance in 2026 is a misplaced priority
The African Foundation for Educational Development (AFFED) is deeply concerned about the GH¢207 million allocated in 2026 for Teacher Trainee Allowances.
While the allowance policy remains a matter of public debate, its current budgetary weight continues to contribute to inefficiencies in the sector, particularly the ongoing delays in teacher recruitment and the teacher deficit experienced in the basic education subsector.
Based on the allocation, the same amount could recruit and pay the annual salaries of approximately 5,000 new teachers, a far more impactful investment in strengthening Ghana’s education system.
Ghana cannot achieve the learning recovery and educational transformation it seeks if thousands of trained teachers remain unemployed while classrooms across the country lack adequate staffing.
Ernest Adade
Executive Director.
0591775665
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