Ghana’s student advocacy landscape is proving to be a significant driver of national education policy and economic outcomes, according to the 2026 UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Youth Report. The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), formed in 1962, has played a pivotal role in influencing government investment in education infrastructure and scholarship programs, shaping both human capital and economic development.
Historically, NUGS’ advocacy led to the establishment of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) in the 1990s. The fund continues to support government investments in public education infrastructure and provides scholarships for disadvantaged yet talented students to study in Ghana and abroad. The union now has representation on the GETFund board and across all 261 District Selection Committees, allowing student voices to directly influence policy implementation and scholarship distribution.
The GEM report highlights that NUGS’ independent advocacy was particularly effective when it operated free from political interference. “In its early years, the NUGS had a constructive and open relationship with the government and operated objectively in advancing the interests of its members and in holding the government to account,” the report notes. However, after 2004, government influence over elections within NUGS led to politicization, limiting its effectiveness. Recent efforts aim to restore the union’s independent advocacy role, enabling it to push for public education funding, resist privatization, and influence national policy.
Investment in education infrastructure and scholarships not only expands access to learning but also contributes to long-term human capital development, a critical determinant of productivity and economic growth. Policies shaped through independent student advocacy help align education financing with workforce needs, potentially reducing skill gaps and supporting the emergence of a more competitive labor market.
The report also emphasizes the use of digital platforms and coalition-building by student unions to influence policy, reflecting an intersection between technology, youth engagement, and economic planning. “The union now holds seats on various government bodies, has lobbied for policy change, and has been involved in the formulation of new policies,” the report states, underlining the tangible influence of organized youth on policy-making that impacts the broader economy.
