Challenges of financial administration in Senior High Schools in the Agona District in the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

The study focused on the challenges of financial administration in five Government senior high schools in the Agona District of Central Region. Specifically, it looked at the financial functions of financial administrators and their supporting staff, factors that either limit or enhance their performance and challenges financial administrators face. The population for the study included the heads, accountants and accounting staff. All the Heads, Assistant Heads (Administration), the Accountants, Assistant Accountants and the accounting clerks, in all the five schools were purposively selected. Questionnaires were the main instrument used to gather the relevant data. Frequencies and averages were used for the analysis whilst majority opinions were used for the discussion. The results indicate that formal higher educational qualification and inservice training and workshops in basic accounting principles and financial management needed to enhance the financial operations were lacking. Again, there was clear indication of the inadequacy of funds for running the schools and for developmental projects which manifested in the poor, lack and inadequacy of infrastructural facilities in the schools. Also, there was so much reliance or dependence on the government grants or inflows that other sources of funds that could be tapped have not been given the needed attention. It was recommended for a higher and more staff training and development in the sphere of formal education and in-service training and workshops in the field of administration.