Ghana Government Announces Recruitment of 90,000 Education Workers

The government of Ghana has announced that more than 90,000 jobs will be created in the education sector, in what is being described as one of the most significant recruitment exercises in recent years.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu revealed the plan at the 22nd Biennial Congress of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) in Aburi, Eastern Region. He said the move would strengthen institutions at all levels of education and create much-needed opportunities for graduates seeking employment.

According to the minister, the new roles will be spread across the Ghana Education Service, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) service, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, and tertiary institutions across the country. He confirmed that the Ministry of Finance had been asked to give financial clearance to enable the process to begin.

“This recruitment is not only about filling vacancies; it is about investing in the future of Ghanaian education and ensuring that our young people have access to quality learning delivered by well-trained staff,” Mr Iddrisu said.

Alongside the recruitment pledge, the government has released GH₵610 million to cover outstanding book and research allowances owed to lecturers in public universities. The minister assured delegates that warrants for the payments had been issued and that lecturers would soon begin to receive their funds.

Mr Iddrisu also used the occasion to underline the importance of preparing Ghana’s higher education system for the age of artificial intelligence. He urged universities to introduce digital literacy programmes for both staff and students, stressing that AI would play an increasingly central role in teaching, learning, and research. While highlighting the benefits, he warned of the need to maintain ethical standards and equity in the use of new technologies.

The congress, held under the theme “Rethinking Higher Education Pedagogy and Funding in the Age of AI: Ethics, Equity and Development Impact,” brought together academics from across the country to reflect on the challenges facing Ghana’s universities.

UTAG’s outgoing president, Professor Mamudu Akudugu, reflected on the association’s recent achievements, including improvements in conditions of service and the protection of academic freedom. He said UTAG had continued to promote collegial governance in universities while providing support to vulnerable students.

He noted that the association had awarded more than GH₵706,000 in scholarships to 164 students affected by recent flooding, and confirmed plans to build a guest house in Accra to provide welfare support for members and serve as a source of income.

Professor Akudugu praised the resilience of lecturers in the face of economic challenges and called for continued dialogue between government and university staff to sustain progress in higher education.

The recruitment announcement has been welcomed by sections of the public as a positive step towards tackling youth unemployment. Many graduates in Ghana continue to face long waits for job opportunities, and the education sector remains one of the largest employers in the country.

Observers say the scale of the recruitment exercise, if fully implemented, could help address teacher shortages in rural and underserved communities, while also easing pressure on existing staff in public schools and universities.

The government has not yet released a timeline for when the new positions will be opened, but officials say the Ministry of Finance’s approval will pave the way for immediate action.