GETFund launches landmark private-partnership model with GH¢18.7m Achimota boys' dorm project

The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has officially launched construction on a 250-bed boys' dormitory at Achimota School, powered by an GH¢18.7 million donation from Saka Homes—a milestone that positions the project as the first fully private-sponsored infrastructure development under GETFund's Education Financing and Partnership Initiative (EFPI).

The sod-cutting ceremony, held on Thursday, August 6, saw GETFund Administrator Paul Adjei formally receive the donation on behalf of the Fund. The dormitory block, which will include a courtyard facility, represents a significant expansion of residential capacity at the prestigious Accra-based school and signals a potential shift in how Ghana's education sector can mobilise capital for infrastructure development.

A new model for education infrastructure funding

The EFPI marks a departure from traditional government-led funding mechanisms for school infrastructure. By creating a structured pathway for private donors to finance large-scale projects, GETFund is attempting to address Ghana's persistent education infrastructure deficit—a challenge that has constrained many secondary schools despite growing enrolment pressures.

Saka Homes, owned by Ebenezer Kwadwo Saka Addo-Mensah, an Achimota School alumnus, became the initiative's pioneer by committing full financing for the dormitory project. This model of alumni-led investment in alma maters has gained traction globally as a sustainable funding source for educational institutions, though it remains relatively rare in Ghana's secondary education landscape.

During the ceremony, Mr Adjei emphasised that the project demonstrates how shared commitment between government institutions and private stakeholders can accelerate educational infrastructure development. He noted that the donation underscores the critical role former students can play in supporting their schools' growth and capacity, particularly in providing modern, safe facilities that enhance the learning environment.

Why it matters for Ghana's education sector

Ghana's secondary schools face significant infrastructure challenges, from overcrowded dormitories to inadequate learning spaces. While government budgets for education have expanded in recent years, capital spending on infrastructure often lags behind actual need. This gap has pushed some schools to operate beyond design capacity, affecting both academic outcomes and student welfare.

The Achimota dormitory project offers a potential blueprint for addressing these constraints. If the EFPI model gains traction and attracts more alumni and corporate donors, it could unlock significant private capital for school infrastructure without placing additional burden on government coffers. Such partnerships might be particularly valuable for elite or well-connected schools that have wealthy alumni networks willing to invest.

However, questions remain about equity and scale. While prestigious institutions like Achimota may attract substantial private investment, many rural and under-resourced secondary schools lack similar networks. Sustainable solutions to Ghana's broader education infrastructure challenge will likely require a combination of government funding, private partnerships like EFPI, and targeted support for schools without strong alumni bases.

The dormitory project is expected to improve residential capacity and student welfare at Achimota, reducing overcrowding pressures on existing facilities. For GETFund, it represents validation of the EFPI concept and a potential model to promote to other donors and school communities moving forward.