Story by Eugene Nyarko Jnr. l Education Ministry, Accra l March 31, 2026
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that government has secured financial clearance to recruit at least 7,000 teachers across the country as part of efforts to address unemployment and improve education delivery, particularly in deprived areas.
Addressing the media at the Ministry of Education in Accra, the Minister said the recruitment follows approval from the Ministry of Finance and forms part of government’s broader commitment to strengthening the education sector under President John Dramani Mahama’s agenda.
He explained that the recruitment process would be open, transparent, and competitive, targeting graduates from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 cohorts of colleges of education and other teacher-training institutions. Priority, he noted, would be given to applicants willing to accept postings in underserved communities where there are significant shortages of teachers.
The Minister disclosed that the Ghana Education Service (GES) would open its application portal from April 10, 2026, with the recruitment process expected to be completed by July 1, 2026, after which successful applicants would be posted and placed on the government payroll.
In addition to the teacher recruitment, Mr. Iddrisu revealed that approval had also been granted for the recruitment of 1,200 faculty members across public tertiary institutions to address staffing gaps. The recruitment will cover institutions such as the University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the University of Health and Allied Sciences.
He further indicated that government is considering a policy of automatic replacement of exiting lecturers to ensure continuity in teaching and research, although discussions with the Ministry of Finance on that policy are ongoing.
On tertiary education expansion, the Minister announced progress toward establishing a National Defence University, which will integrate existing institutions such as the Ghana Military Academy, the Command and Staff College, and the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Centre. He said a legal framework for the university would soon be submitted to Cabinet and Parliament for approval.
Additionally, plans are underway for the University of Mines and Technology to establish a new campus in the Ahafo Region, focusing on mining and related disciplines, while the University of Health and Allied Sciences is expected to open a satellite campus dedicated to pharmacology and biomedical sciences.
Mr. Iddrisu also announced that the University for Engineering and Agricultural Sciences will begin operations in September 2026, admitting its first batch of 800 students, split evenly between agriculture and engineering programmes.
Touching on basic education, the Minister revealed that government is undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) to improve transparency, fairness, and predictability. The reforms will include stricter enforcement of eligibility criteria for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), restoration of the catchment area policy, and adjustments to allow students to confirm school choices after results are released.
He warned against the registration of unqualified candidates for the BECE, stating that any violations of Ghana Education Service and examination regulations would be dealt with decisively.
Mr. Iddrisu reiterated government’s commitment to decentralising the operations of the Ghana Education Service, subject to Cabinet approval, to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery at the local level.
He assured that these interventions collectively aim to expand access to quality education, create employment opportunities, and strengthen Ghana’s human capital development.
