Since its inception, the core mandate of GETFund, per its enabling Act of parliament in 2000 (Act 581) has been to provide funding to supplement government effort for the provision of educational infrastructure and facilities within the public sector from the pre-tertiary to the tertiary level. In its efforts to discharge this important mandate, GETFund has chalked many successes and made  significant contributions towards supporting education service delivery in the country.

Over the past decades, Ghana’s tertiary education sector has experienced remarkable growth, driven largely by expanded access at the pre-tertiary level and government commitment to higher education development. With the introduction of major reforms since the late 1980s, enrolment in Senior High Schools (SHS) rose significantly from about 146,000 in 1987/88 to over 197,000 by 1997/98, reaching 800,000 by 2016/17. The Free Senior High School Policy further propelled this increase, pushing enrolment figures to approximately 1.4 million students nationwide.

However, while access to pre-tertiary education has expanded impressively, tertiary institutions continue to grapple with challenges related to infrastructure, residential space, and academic facilities. Only about 30 percent of qualified students within the 18–23-year cohort gain admission into tertiary institutions, largely due to inadequate space and limited resources. Universities have faced the growing demand with resilience, but the shortage of lecture halls, hostels, laboratories, and modern learning technologies continues to hinder full access to higher education.

Recognizing this critical need, the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has emerged as a key driver in addressing the infrastructure gap across tertiary, technical, and health institutions. Since its establishment, GETFund has consistently invested a significant share of its resources into the expansion and improvement of academic facilities.

In 2004, for instance, over 74 percent of total allocations were directed toward tertiary infrastructure, demonstrating the Fund’s commitment to improving access and quality. This focus continued in subsequent years, with substantial amounts channelled into projects such as the construction of lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and hostel facilities.

Recent years have seen even greater strides. In 2018, Parliament approved GHC 924.8 million for disbursement, with 37.48 percent allocated to tertiary education. The following year, in 2019, a total of GHC 1.2 billion was approved, of which tertiary education received the largest share of 26.4 percent , highlighting its continued prioritization under the national funding framework.

A notable example of GETFund’s impact can be seen at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), where a 2020 assessment revealed significant infrastructural improvements made possible through GETFund financing. These include the construction of new lecture halls, renovation of existing hostels, and the provision of essential laboratory equipment to support teaching and research.

Through these sustained investments, GETFund continues to play a transformative role in Ghana’s higher education landscape. Its contributions not only enhance the learning environment but also strengthen the nation’s capacity to train a new generation of skilled professionals. The Fund remains committed to ensuring that every Ghanaian learner has access to quality tertiary education in a modern, well-resourced academic environment.