Governing Council and Teaching Performance of Public Universities in Ghana

Abstract

Universities play a critical role in socio-economic development, particularly of emerging economies. This role has added new challenges for higher education management. These challenges have increased pressure on university governing councils to develop innovative governance models and management systems to ensure institutional efficiency and effectiveness. Given the pivotal role the council plays in university performance, the present study was conducted to explore how the operations of governing councils of public universities in Ghana are helping to promote teaching performance, a core mandate of universities. The study employed a mixed-methods research approach using a concurrent exploratory design. Document analysis, interviews, and surveys were the methods used. A survey was conducted to solicit the views of a cross-section of the full-time staff on the operations of the governing council. The study found that the universities have well-structured and functional governing councils. The council of each public university also has an internal mechanism to assess the performance of staff and students. The council also has an effective committee system to assist in its operations. However, the council‟s meetings, to a large extent, are spent on government policies, rules, and regulations as against the university's teaching and research agenda. The study recommends that the governance structures of the public universities in Ghana must be maintained and strengthened to ensure continuous provision of good governance in the respective institutions.