At 2025 Doha Forum in Qatar, President Mahama Champions Local Financing for Ghana’s Schools

President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated that Ghana’s long-term educational progress hinges on sustainable domestic financing rather than prolonged dependence on external support.

Addressing global leaders at the 2025 Doha Forum in Qatar, the President argued that while international partnerships remain useful, a resilient education system must be built on the country’s own financial commitment.

Mahama referenced the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) as a proven model of local resource mobilisation, describing the 2.5 percent VAT contribution as evidence that Ghana has the capacity to finance its own educational transformation.

“Education is central to our national development. We took a bold step by agreeing that every purchase we make contributes 2.5% VAT to GETFund, and that fund has consistently generated meaningful revenue,” he noted.

The President said strengthening domestic revenue structures is vital for supporting school infrastructure, learning materials, and expanded tertiary education access. He stressed that sustained national ownership is the only way to shield education from global economic shocks.