UNICEF and Education Stakeholders Urge Rebalancing of Public Spending and Structural Support for Ghana’s Children

Recent findings from UNICEF and Ghanaian educational stakeholders have highlighted a critical need to rebalance public investment to better support children, particularly those in their early years. A UNICEF-backed study reveals that while children aged 0-5 constitute one-third of Ghana's child population, they receive only 13% of public spending. This imbalance, which favors later childhood and education over early childhood development, risks widening socio-economic inequalities and persistent rural-urban disparities. Experts emphasize that neglecting the formative 0-5 age bracket limits the lifelong benefits of health, nutrition, and social protection, urging the government to implement the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy and consider a universal child benefit to improve outcomes. In addition to funding gaps, the focus on the girl-child has emerged as a central pillar for national progress. At a recent forum held by the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and the Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute, researchers linked inadequate menstrual health management to negative mental health outcomes, including anxiety and social isolation. Keynote speaker Professor Smile Gavua Dzisi stressed that dignity and mental well-being are as essential as access to sanitary products. This sentiment was echoed by Professor Esther Danso Wiredu of UEW, who advocated for including girls in leadership and decision-making roles, while also calling for stronger laws against child marriage and gender-based violence to ensure safe educational environments. Practical infrastructure and systemic reforms are already showing tangible benefits in addressing these barriers. In Nandom, the construction of a new sanitation facility at the English-Arabic Basic School—funded by SNV Ghana and the Helmsley Charitable Trust—has ended years of open defecation and significantly improved attendance. The facility includes dedicated changing rooms for girls, which has boosted their confidence and academic performance during menstruation. Meanwhile, education advocates like Bencha George are pushing for the formalization of Guidance and Counseling as a compulsory subject in Junior High Schools. This proposal aims to provide structured support for students facing social pressures, substance abuse, and career decisions, effectively bridging the gap left by a current lack of trained personnel. Collectively, these initiatives and research findings point toward a necessary shift in Ghana's educational and social welfare landscape. From the provision of basic sanitation to the implementation of national policies on early childhood care, the message from stakeholders is clear: a holistic, well-funded approach is required to nurture responsible future citizens. By addressing the root causes of inequality and providing the necessary emotional and physical infrastructure, Ghana can better ensure that no child—regardless of gender or economic background—is left behind in the pursuit of national development.