Dr. Apaak credits Jacobs Foundation for unlocking multi-million dollar education windfall

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has outlined how Ghana secured $80 million in education funding through a strategic partnership with the Jacobs Foundation and the Global Partnership for Education.

Dr. Apaak made the remarks during a visit by the Board of the Jacobs Foundation to Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang at the Jubilee House in Accra, describing the engagement as a key milestone in Ghana’s efforts to maximise international education financing.

According to him, the Jacobs Foundation has been a critical partner of the Ministry of Education, particularly in supporting Ghana to unlock its full allocation under the Global Partnership for Education’s multiplier grant arrangement.

He explained that the multiplier system requires beneficiary countries to mobilise counterpart funding from other sources before accessing their complete allocation.

Dr. Apaak indicated that Ghana was allocated $40 million under the GPE multiplier but needed to raise an additional $40 million from development partners on a one-to-one basis to fully benefit from the support.

He said the Jacobs Foundation readily agreed to collaborate with the ministry and other partners to meet this requirement.

He attributed the success to the formation of a coordinated donor effort under the umbrella of SCALE Partners, through which $40 million was mobilised to match Ghana’s original GPE allocation.

The effort, he noted, resulted in a total funding envelope of $80 million for the country’s education sector.

The Deputy Minister said the funds are being used as additional financing for the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project, a programme focused on improving the quality of teaching and learning outcomes in basic schools.

He added that implementation of the additional financing component commenced in 2025 and is expected to deepen the impact of ongoing education reforms.

Dr. Apaak further highlighted the broader significance of the partnership, noting that it demonstrates how effective collaboration with development partners can help Ghana leverage greater resources for priority sectors such as education.

He also acknowledged the leadership and commitment of the Jacobs Foundation’s board and senior management, stating that their continued support has played an important role in advancing education development in Ghana.

The visiting delegation included members of the foundation’s board and senior management, reflecting what Dr. Apaak described as the foundation’s sustained interest in Ghana and the West African sub-region’s education landscape.