Access to Higher Education: A Myth or Reality to Young Girls

Abstract

Access to higher education is a global critical issue which also is fundamental to stakeholders of education in Ghana today. Presently, Ghana’s Education Agenda 2030 has a focus on ensuring an increase and expansion of access, equity and inclusion to quality education. Although Ghana has a target based on SDG4 to eliminate gender disparities in education at all levels and ensure equal access there are still disparities in female participation in higher education standing at 0.69 in 2017 and 40% of students enrolled in higher education in 2017 being female. The main purpose of this paper is to review the issue of gender disparities in educational access to higher education in Ghana. The focus of the study was on one of most disadvantaged areas in terms of female access and participation in higher education in Ghana namely the Odompo and Ayeldo communities in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) District of the Central Region. Using a qualitative research paradigm, thirty-three respondents sampled using snowballing technique comprised opinion leaders, girls who have completed Senior High school, assembly men and women, and chiefs of the community were interviewed using a semi structured interview guide. This was done to acquire an in-depth understanding of the situation and meanings participants attached to the concept of female participation in higher education. A case study design was used answer the research questions; What factors affect female participation in higher education? and What are the perceptions of the members of the community towards female participation in higher education? It was found out that socio-cultural, school related, economic, as well as political and institutional policy practices factors caused impediments to female access and participation in higher education. Also, it was found that given the opportunity the girls want to participate in higher education. Recommendations made included the need for stakeholders to mobilise resources for adequate financing of education and continued education to create aware