GOVERNANCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN GHANA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

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; the recruitment of technocrats and professionals into university governance; as well as continuous training on governance for university council members.  Further research might expand the sample size to test the initial perspectives gained from this present study as well as investigate the differences between the governance arrangements of the faith-based and non-faith-based private universities in Ghana.