UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION

M.ED. (ADMIN. IN HIGHER EDUCATION)-DISTANCE

RESEARCH PAPER

INEQUALITY IN ACCESSING HIGHER EDUCATION IN GHANA: THE CHALLENGES AND WAYFORWARD

AKPLOME PRECIOUS

INTRODUCTION
Globally, education remains the fulcrum for the achievement of higher economic, social, technological standards and development. Education continues to receive wide attention amongst most developed nations’ governments and policy due to the remarkable contributions that it brings to the nation. In Africa even though there seems to be a concerted effort by various governments to improve on education at all levels, there is gender inequality in access to education at all levels of the academic ladder. Gender inequality in access to education continues to receive considerable attention worldwide and many developing counties. Ghana is no exception and the situation affects national development and also limits opportunities for women especially in enjoying higher job prospects in the country. At the 1990 World Conference on Education for All in Jomtien, Thailand, particular emphasis was placed on female education not only as a fundamental right, but also as an important means for economic and social development (UNESCO, 2003). Undeniably, education has been viewed by many as central to the achievement of greater equality in society, including between men and women. This notwithstanding, the lack of education has been viewed as a major obstacle to women employment and development in society. Moreover, a report by the Education for All Global Monitoring which was undertaken in 2003/04 (UNESCO 2004) suggest that, in general sub-Saharan Africa has low enrolment rates and strong gender disparities and inequalities as out of the 77 million children who were not enrolled in either primary or secondary worldwide in