GETFund Clears GH₵800m Arrears
-Owed contractors on uncompleted projects-Dr. Boadu
THE Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has affirmed its commitment to completing infrastructure projects initiated by previous governments.
Approximately GH₵800 million, equivalent to 96% of the total cost of inherited projects, has been disbursed to contractors who were awarded the projects.
Between 2019 and 2023, GETFund has successfully completed a total of 2,731 uncompleted infrastructure projects initiated by previous governments.
The projects comprise 1,430 at the basic school level, 1,144 at the Senior High School level, and 138 at the tertiary level.
Additionally, 15 E-blocks, initiated by the previous administration, two Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) centers, and two model schools have been successfully completed.
Administrator of GETFund, Dr. Richard Ampofo Boadu, announced this during a stakeholder forum held in Accra under the theme “Innovation: A Must to Achieving Positive Outcomes.”
He emphatically refuted allegations that the incumbent Patriotic Party (NPP) government had abandoned the uncompleted projects inherited from the previous administrations.
Dr. Boadu addressed claims of selective payments to contractors, asserting that all payments made by the fund were executed through an open and transparent process, free from any favoritism or discrimination against any party.
He outlined the newly implemented control mechanisms aimed at enhancing the efficiency of contract awards and payments.
These he said include contractor registration and vetting, project design review before contracting, pre-contract representation by GETFund requirements, and obtaining a no objection letter prior to contract signing.
During the forum, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, emphasized the pivotal role of education and infrastructure in promoting a quality education system.
He stressed the importance of creating a conducive learning environment to improve educational outcomes and equip students for the job market.
Dr. Adutwum also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increasing the enrollment of students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses, vital for the country’s development.
In addition to GETFund’s scholarship and infrastructure programs, the government is collaborating with international partners to support education initiatives.
The Kuwait fund is currently constructing three STEM high schools in Ghana, while the Arab Development Bank is contributing to infrastructure development projects in several Senior High schools.
Dr. Adutwum underscored the government’s focus on STEM education, emphasizing the importance of establishing modern STEM schools and centers to encourage and equip students for success.
