Michael Vidal 
University of New Hampshire
Major: Psychology
Mentor: Dr. Antonio Henley, UNH McNair Scholars Program
Challenges in the Access of Higher Education in Ghana
Since its independence in 1957, Ghana has developed a series of reforms in its education system in efforts to become a more unified and progressive nation (Ghana, 2011). Perhaps the most significant effort has been increasing access for its citizens to attend post-secondary level institutions. However, the country faces many challenges that impede its progress towards this ultimate goal. Research shows that there are significant disparities in the access to higher education for specific groups within Ghana, which predominantly includes women (Bloom, 2006) and Low Income (Teal, 2001) individuals. A case study will be conducted at the University of Ghana, one of the most prestigious universities in Africa. With a mission to develop world-class human resources to meet global development challenges (University of Ghana, 2011), the University of Ghana is an excellent model to address issues of access and equity in higher education.
This study will examine educators’ perceptions of challenges in the access to higher education for underrepresented groups in Ghana with a focus on public policies and from the viewpoint of higher education professionals. The purpose for research on higher education access in Ghana is to assess policies and practices that are in place to increase participation in post-secondary institutions for underrepresented groups. As Ghana, and Africa as a whole, works towards improving the quality and access of education for its citizenry, it is only best to use one of the leading institutions as a model to assess practices that can be implemented across other higher education institutions.
