Global Political Economy and Educational Reforms in the Global South: An Evolutionary Study of Ghana

Abstract

This article examines the intricate relationship between the global political economy and educational reforms in the Global South, with a particular focus on Ghana's development trajectory. Drawing on literature from historical institutionalism and critical political economy, this research will examine how the international development industry, donor conditionalities, and the evolving political economy of the global context have influenced policy-making processes and educational modes in Ghana from independence to the present day. In the abstract, I will present my main argument: educational reforms in Ghana are often perceived and assessed as internal responses to national development issues, but they are deeply rooted and heavily shaped by the global political economy and ideological currents. In this paper, I will highlight the key drivers of reform in Ghana (the Nkrumah era, SAPs, and the recently introduced free SHS policy); identify what fuels reform (i.e., ideologies, external actors); and discuss reform effects over time on access, equity, quality and relevance of education, both intended and unintended. The abstract will also provide a brief description of the methodology used, which may include a review of literature, analysis of policy documents, and case studies. Lastly, a brief note will be made on how this paper provides insight into the tangled web of interdependent global phenomena alongside national developments in education in the Global South.