The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and President of the Asogli Traditional Area, Togbe Afede XIV, has underscored the urgent need for comprehensive educational reforms in Ghana to drive sustainable development.
Speaking as the Chairman at the launch of the National Education Forum at the Volta Serene Hotel, Ho, Togbe Afede emphasized the necessity of a responsive and adaptive education system that equips Ghanaians with problem-solving abilities and relevant skills for the 21st century.
The event, held under the theme “Transforming Education for a Sustainable Future,” saw the participation of dignitaries including President of Ghana HE John Dramani Mahama and Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, among other policymakers, educators, and stakeholders.
Togbe Afede welcomed participants and acknowledged the commitment of the President and the Minister of Education towards revamping the educational sector.
“Your Excellency, you have not declared to us that you are in a hurry but it’s very obvious to us that you’re in a big hurry, and we thank you sincerely,” he remarked, applauding the President’s swift approach in addressing national development challenges.
He equally praised Education Minister Hon. Haruna Iddrisu for “hitting the ground running” by organizing the crucial forum in the early days of his tenure.
Togbe Afede lamented that despite Ghana’s abundant human and natural resources, the country has not made the expected progress in eradicating poverty and fostering development.
“We have been celebrating what many of us regarded as our second independence. We’ve been doing so since the seventh and the eighth of December 2024t, but we all know that independence is not an end in itself unless it comes with what the people desire, which is development, we would have laboured in vain.
“Development is what I hope for and desire, and that was what inspired the founding fathers of this nation to fight for freedom out of colonialism.”
Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and President of the Asogli Traditional Area
He stressed that education remains the most powerful tool for economic growth, productivity, and social transformation. For him, the most important factor in the production of goods and services and the growth of an economy is human capital.
He emphasized that Ghana’s collective attitude, skills, and problem-solving abilities determine its performance and productivity levels.
Ghana’s Education System: The Need for Transformation
Comparing Ghana to Asian economies such as Malaysia and South Korea, Togbe Afede highlighted the significance of human capital development in driving national progress.
“The low level of human capital development is often cited as a key reason why our country lags behind our Asian counterparts. The government’s policy direction rightly acknowledges the role of education in our national development and seeks to make it accessible, affordable, and of high quality.”
Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and President of the Asogli Traditional Area
He praised the government’s commitment to community engagement in education reform, calling for an inclusive approach that aligns educational objectives with national development goals.
Togbe Afede identified five key forces necessitating continuous reform in Ghana’s education sector including globalization, asserting that the world is increasingly interconnected, necessitating cross-border collaboration and multicultural adaptability.
On technological advancement, Togbe Afede pointed out that digital learning platforms and STEM education must be prioritized to prepare students for the digital age.
He also noted that social changes with population shifts and diversity demand inclusive and adaptive education policies while evolving workplace demands require creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving which are crucial skills for the modern workforce.
On policy changes, Togbe Afede posited that the introduction of the Free SHS policy, though beneficial, came with challenges that required well-thought-out reforms.
He likened the rushed implementation of Free SHS to a mythical Greek “sub to Cerberus” – a bribe to appease a many-headed beast.
“So the rushed introduction of the senior high school sometimes looks to me like a Cerberus and so the need for a lot of, reform. So I appreciate so much the government’s commitment to reforming our educational system.
“We have to remember from what I’ve said that the world is undergoing constant change; organizations bringing change, technology bringing change, and social change are prevalent, and so we have an evolving workplace, and demands.”
Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and President of the Asogli Traditional Area
Education as a Lifelong Process
Emphasizing the dynamic nature of education, Togbe Afede stressed that the system must remain flexible to adapt to evolving global and societal needs.
“We must equip our people with the capacity for critical thought. Tomorrow belongs to thinkers—those with imagination and creativity to craft relevant solutions,” he stated.
He underscored the importance of fostering ambition, continuous learning, and excellence, describing them as the building blocks for an innovative and progressive society.
In addition to technical knowledge, Togbe Afede called for the incorporation of ethics into the education curriculum, lauding the Minister of Education’s commitment to this initiative.
“Ethics are crucial in shaping a responsible and disciplined citizenry. Selflessness, empathy, honesty, tolerance, and discipline must be instilled in our youth to build a morally upright nation.”
Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and President of the Asogli Traditional Area
Addressing Ghana’s persistent corruption challenges, he emphasized the need to promote accountability and patriotism.
“Our biggest challenge as a nation is corruption, fueled by greed. His Excellency has taken the fight against corruption seriously, and we must all support this cause. If we do not kill corruption, it will kill us.”
Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and President of the Asogli Traditional Area
Togbe Afede concluded his address by urging stakeholders to maintain an open dialogue on educational reforms.
“Whatever we come up with in this reform process should lay the foundation for an agile education system—one that can be revisited and realigned to meet our changing needs”.
Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and President of the Asogli Traditional Area
The National Education Forum marks a significant step in Ghana’s journey toward educational transformation, aligning the country’s learning structures with the demands of an ever-evolving global landscape.
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