Ghana study: The early years, left behind

A child's first years are supposed to be their most formative. In Ghana, they are also their most underfunded.

A new study by UNICEF Ghana in partnership with Genesis, "Unlocking Potential Early: Rebalancing public spending for children in Ghana", shows that children under five receive just 13% of total public expenditure on young people, despite accounting for roughly one-third of the country's child population.

By contrast, high-income nations direct nearly 29% of child-related spending to this same age group.

The gap matters. The earliest years offer the strongest window for cognitive development, for breaking cycles of poverty, and for supporting families when they need it most. Yet in Ghana, investment is largely concentrated in later childhood through education spending.

There is good news. Ghana performs well against regional averages on immunisation, under-five mortality, and pre-primary enrolment. But the report also flags persistent challenges: stunting affects 17% of children, 94% of one- to 14-year-olds experience physical punishment or psychological aggression, and birth registration stands at  74.5%.

The timing of this study is significant. Ghana is rolling out its first National Parenting Support Strategy - a piece of work Genesis is proud to support in partnership with UNICEF Ghana and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

Our teams at Genesis are working alongside communities and organisations to close these gaps. You can read more about the study and recommendations here.