Envisioning Incentives for Improving University Governance: A Ghanaian Perspective (original) (raw)
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The Evolution of University Governance in Ghana: Implications for Education Policy and Practice
Asian Social Science, 2016
The relationship between education and public policy is two way: (1) economic development of a nation depends on the human capital produced by the education system of that nation and (2) public spending and management of the education system is crucial to the welfare of the nation. Changes in this relationship generate public concerns about university governance and its implications to national development. Therefore, this study explores the questions: (1) Have the role and purpose of university governance changed since its inception? (2) Are there differences between the old and the new system of university governance? (3) What larger ramifications does this have on university governance? The study was conducted within the framework of qualitative research design. The researchers adopted the social constructivist worldview with phenomenology approach to inquiry. Participants who were mainly eminent former senior university administrators and regulators with management, administrative and governance experience in public and private university were interviewed. Data was transcribed and read repeatedly over time to make sense of issues raised by informants. Significant statements were selected, interpreted and used in the text to highlight key issues as well as to provide voice of the informants. The findings of the study suggest that remedies for the changes realized in governance should take into account measures such as strengthening institutional capacities; balancing between the interests of the private and public sector actors in university education; and safeguarding the policy space of the ordinary people to participate in university education affairs that concern or affect them.
An exploratory and comparative assessment of the governance arrangements of universities in Ghana
Purpose – Institutional governance has recently attracted significant attention, fuelled by increasing numbers of global high-profile corporate failures and scandals. In many countries issues have been raised about university governance. In Ghana, university governance has become crucial following the upsurge of private universities in recent years arising out of: increased demand for tertiary education resulting from high population growth; and expanded enrolment at basic and secondary levels, which have far exceeded the capacity of existing institutions. This study aims to explore and assess the governance arrangements of private and public universities in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select three private and two public universities. An exploratory and comparative approach was used to examine the governance arrangements of private and public universities in Ghana. Findings – Both private and public universities in Ghana follow the ‘‘traditional’’, ‘‘business’’, and ‘‘trusteeship’’ models of university governance, although in different proportions. Additionally, both types of institutions follow the bicameral system of decision making. Research limitations/implications – Only five of 19 universities in Ghana were sampled. Future research might expand the sample size to test and validate the initial perspectives from this study and also investigate differences between governance arrangements of faith based and non-faith based private universities. Originality/value – The paper reports the findings of the first nation-wide investigation into governance arrangements of Ghanaian universities. It will interest policy makers, university authorities, and other stakeholders in the higher educational sector. Keywords Governance, Higher education, Tertiary education, Ghana
Governance in Higher Education in Ghana: A Comparative Study of Public and Private Universities
2012
This article presents the results of an empirical study that explored and compared the size, composition, roles and functions of Ghanaian university governing councils and the extent to which their governance systems facilitate efficiency and effectiveness in these universities. Using both primary and secondary data obtained from three private and two public universities purposely sampled from Ghana in a survey which was conducted between March and September 2007, it was revealed that the sizes, roles, and functions of the governing councils of both types of university were similar except in the case of the composition of the governing body in which the private universities have a huge presence of owners on the council. Besides, the governing systems of both types of university have contributed averagely to efficiency and effectiveness suggesting that there is more room for improvement. The study recommended the adoption of best practice approaches to governance in all universities;...
Towards Quality Governance and management of West African Universities: The Way Forward
2017
Internal governance in West African universities is faced with considerable government participation in the performance of their traditional functions. External governing relationship is a function of government policies of the institutions and their commitments to stakeholders. The pressure to 'deliver the goods' in good quality as well as the desire to meet international standards in the twin era of globalisation and information and communication technology have put a lot of strain on governance and management of West African universities. This paper therefore sets out to re-visit governance and management roles in the university system as they relate to West African universities. The paper discusses the concepts of management and governance and it highlights some empirical information relating to governance and management in selected universities in developed countries. The status of ranking of some West African universities is depicted in the write-up. Suggestions on the...
ABSTRACT The University Administrator as a Partner in Meeting the Complexities of the Current Trends in University Administration. The perception of the University Administrator’s job as incidental to the main business of universities has been receding gradually in Ghana since 1948. The administrator is now beginning to be accepted as an important stakeholder in dealing with the challenges that confront tertiary educational institution in Ghana. Growing complexity in the structure and content of tertiary education, the death of funds for management and the massification phenomenon have clearly pointed to the usefulness of the skills that administrators now come with. In dealing with challenges such as advocacy on funding matters and workable systems, the institutional memory of the administrator often comes handy. This Paper shall deal with the role of administrators in pursuing the objectives of universities education in Ghana. The paper recommends full coupling of salaries and allowances as we march towards the upcoming single spine salary structure in January 2010. The umbrella association for all professional groups GAUA should continue to fight for training opportunities to prepare the administrator for the emerging complexities.
The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies, 2019
Background A public university in Ghana is a tertiary education institution so described(Education Act, 2008)which is funded from public funds which are "money from the Consolidated Fund, the Contingency Fund and other funds under the authority of an Act of Parliament" (National Accreditation Board Act, 2007). The Tertiary Education Sector in Ghana is currently undergoing reforms. The rationale for the reforms is to harmonise sporadic and piecemeal developments in the sector. This is happening through a range of institutional and legal restructuring for a "comprehensive, coherent, well-articulated and holistic" system capable of meeting the effective and sustainable needs of a desired learning society and knowledge-driven economy. The reforms include proposals for the following:
European Journal of Development Studies, 2023
This paper analysed the management and governance of public and private sector Multi-campus Universities (MCUs) in the increasingly turbulent and competitive environment of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ghana. University for Development Studies (UDS) and the Presbyterian University College, Ghana (PUCG) were case studied. The robustness of their governance and management systems were critically examined in the light of the intense competition among HEIs in the country. The qualitative research design and comparative case study approach were adopted for the study. Information was collected from eight principal officers of the two MCUs through face-to-face interviews. The information was subjected to content analysis. The results revealed that there are no significant differences in the management and governance of the two HEIs. Both of MCUs do not appoint senior or principal officers to manage their campuses and neither do they statutorily empower the Campus Heads to function effectively. However, they both recognized the need to properly structure the office of the Campus Heads to enable them to effectively participate in the governance system at the top level. The paper recommended that PUCG should appoint a Director of Works and Physical Development (WPD) to handle and manage key issues relating to physical resources and development. In addition, both universities should appoint senior or principal officers (Pro-Vice Chancellors or Vice Presidents) as Campus Heads and place them as top managers instead of lower managers as it exists currently. Finally, the two MCUs should decentralize significant autonomy to the Campus Heads to enable them to effectively manage and coordinate the daily operations and activities of the campuses.
Understanding the governance dynamics of a supranational university: The African pioneering model
2020
Since the 1990s, university governance has attracted the attention of scholars. However, most of the extant studies focus on the governance of national-level universities and use national regulatory frameworks. Therefore, there is a dearth of studies that hinge on the governance of supranational higher education institutions, such as the Pan African University (PAU), with the aid of regional regulatory frameworks. Consequently, little is known about the governance architecture of supranational universities, which are a post-2010 phenomenon. In view of the above, the article answers the following question: How is the Pan African University governed within a multi-layer environment? Using an interpretive lens, data was collected from the Revised Statute of the Pan African University, 2016. Content analysis was used to analyse the resultant data. The findings revealed that observance of the values of higher education, adoption of the steering-at-a-distance university governance model b...
University Governance in Ethiopia: Trends, Challenges and Options
The Teacher, Vol 6, No 12, 2014
The need for changes in the governance of the Ethiopian education system has been emphasized as early as 1994 in the Ethiopian Education and Training Policy (ETP) which may be regarded as the precursor to many of the policies and changes within the education sector. However, it is the directions set in the Higher Education Proclamations of 2003 and 2009 that have clearly outlined the mechanisms by which Ethiopian universities should be governed. This paper outlines some of the major features and changes in the area and explores how much the principles and aspirations laid down have been translated into action in light of international trends. The focus areas chosen for discussion are the issues of autonomy, accountability and governance structures both at system and institutional level. The study exclusively dwells on public universities and draws its information from secondary sources. It is structured in a manner that discusses trends within the international literature followed by the actual practices in the Ethiopian set up. The conclusions drawn are offered at the end.
governance in higher education. a comparative study on ghana and china.pdf
Research on Humanities and Social Sciences www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-5766 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0484 (Online) , 2018
Abstract Governance in higher education is one key concern for policy makers on restructuring the higher educational systems all over the world. The concepts of higher education governance often bring conflict between institutions and politicians on issues concerning institutional management. This study examined the concepts of higher education governance based on a comparative study of china and Ghana. The study gave special attention to various reforms on governance, higher education autonomy, funding, higher education law and structure of decision making in both countries. This paper argued that, if government limits its influence on higher education governance and higher education institutions are given a significant level of autonomy to make decision on academic program development and appointment of key positions, it will enable the higher education leaders use their expertise to develop high quality higher education. However, it’s worth mentioning that, this paper does not argue for governmental absence on higher education governance and management; government will continue with policy formulation on higher education. The comparative study is adopted because, china’s higher education has attracted many students from developing countries in Africa and Asia and Ghana as an African country has over ten thousand students pursuing programs at all levels. Higher institutions in Ghana in the past decade have enjoyed good academic relationship with Chinese institutions. Ghana as a middle-income country in the quest to build high quality higher education can learn from the Chinese system. This study will also contribute to literatures in educational governance.