Private Higher Education Delivery: The Ghanaian Context

Over the last two decades, there has been a steady rise in Private Higher Education (PHE) provision in Ghana. Despite this surge, little is known about the sector. This chapter presents a comprehensive and a holistic information about PHE in Ghana. Drawing on mainly qualitative methods including interviews and documentary analyses, I chronicle the development of Ghanaian PHE delivery and illuminate key issues and policies including the types of PHE and their interface, programs and research focus, funding, regulation bodies and accreditation. I also examine policies on quality and quality assurance and internationalization efforts. I then examine the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. I conclude that PHE in Ghana has played highly positive roles in national development including enhancing access to higher education and creating job opportunities. It has also been instrumental in introducing competition, efficiency and effectiveness in the higher education terrain. It is nonetheless bedevilled with compounding challenges including funding and infrastructural limitations, and suspicions on quality issues. I recommend a comprehensive funding and regulatory policies with targeted considerations to substantially support PHE in Ghana.