John Dramani Mahama is Ghana’s President
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to establish three new technical universities and build 50,000 housing units for teachers, placing education and skills development at the heart of his government’s economic agenda.
Speaking during the 2026 State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Friday, February 27, 2026, the president said expanding technical education is key to tackling youth unemployment and equipping young people with practical skills that match industry needs.
“Technical universities play a critical role in closing the skills gap and reducing youth unemployment by delivering high-quality, industry-aligned and practice-oriented training within a broader policy framework that stimulates labour demand,” he stated.
He explained that the new institutions will go beyond increasing student numbers and instead serve as centres for innovation and collaboration with industry, helping to produce a workforce ready for a modern, technology-driven economy.
In addition to the university expansion, President Mahama unveiled a major housing initiative to improve the welfare of teachers, especially those posted to rural and underserved communities.
The programme seeks to deliver 50,000 housing units through partnerships involving the District Assemblies Common Fund, the Ghana Education Trust Fund and the Ghana National Association of Teachers.
Improving teachers’ living conditions, he noted, is essential to boosting morale and retaining skilled educators nationwide.
“This partnership demonstrates our collective dedication to enhancing teachers’ living conditions and boosting retention, especially in rural and remote areas,” he noted.
The combined initiatives signal what the president described as a renewed push to align education with national development, while supporting those at the front lines of Ghana’s education system.
NA/AE
LIVESTREAMING: President Mahama presents 2026 State of the Nation Address
