Abstract:
The present affiliation policy regime of Ghana’s higher education
system has existed for more than two decades. However, empirical
studies to examine the policy rhetoric and reality with regard to
building quality assurance capacity in mentored institutions
appear non-existent. This paper is based on an illustrative qualitative
case study undertaken to examine the achievements and
challenges of implementing the policy to build internal quality
assurance capacities in mentored institutions. The study was
guided by Institutional Theory using 12 key informant in-depth
interviews and document reviews as data collection sources. The
findings indicate a minimal achievement of the policy intent on
internal quality assurance capacity building due to key implementation
challenges such as a tripartite relationship structure; increasing
cost on mentored institutions and increasing workload on
mentor institutions. The study concludes that the gap between
the policy rhetoric and reality in the studied mentored institutions
appears undesirable and requires stakeholders’ attention.
