The Vice President of Ghana, Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has reaffirmed the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s commitment to implementing inclusive and transformative education policies.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the National Education Forum held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), she emphasized the urgent need for consensus-building and comprehensive reforms to reset Ghana’s education system for equity, access, and quality.
Addressing stakeholders at the forum, Professor Opoku-Agyemang highlighted that the NDC’s 120-day social contract with the Ghanaian people includes a clear commitment to engaging stakeholders on the necessary reforms to improve the nation’s educational landscape.
She acknowledged that the education system inherited by the NDC government had significant imbalances, particularly in terms of quality, access, and equity, and stressed the importance of addressing these challenges comprehensively.
“When we consider the fact that quality, access, and equity, which are key features of a balanced education system, were not as high as they ought to have been. The NDC, as a social democratic party, has since its inception recognized the indispensability of quality at all levels, in all forms, even as we watch massification”
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
However, she expressed concerns over the neglect of Junior Secondary Education, describing it as the “motherless school.”
According to her, the secondary level acts as a critical transition between basic and tertiary education, making its restructuring imperative for national development.
The Role of Quality Education in National Development
Professor Opoku-Agyemang underscored the significant impact of secondary education on human capital development.
She noted that the quality of students produced at the high school level determines the caliber of graduates from tertiary institutions, ultimately influencing the nation’s workforce and economic growth.
“Education is about human development, no more, no less. The quality of our secondary school graduates shapes the kind of workforce and leadership we produce as a nation. We must, therefore, ensure that our educational structures foster critical thinking, innovation, and technical competence”.
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
To address existing gaps, she outlined the rationale behind the establishment of the Professor George Oduro Committee.
The committee was tasked with organizing the National Education Forum to provide a platform for stakeholders, government officials, and ordinary citizens to examine key issues, including infrastructure, regulation, accountability, governance, financing, and research.
The Vice President stressed that sound policymaking in education must be rooted in credible data. She warned against the reliance on manipulated information, asserting that without accurate data, effective policy formulation remains impossible.
“I used to tell my students that information is never innocent. We must be able to trust our data because, without it, we cannot make sound policies to solve the challenges we face”.
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
She commended the committee for its exhaustive engagement process, which included national and zonal discussions, as well as online interactions with diverse stakeholders.
These engagements, she said, have culminated in comprehensive policy-relevant recommendations that will shape the country’s education sector.
Stakeholder Collaboration for a Sustainable Education Future
Professor Opoku-Agyemang expressed profound appreciation for the extensive participation of key educationists, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the forum.
She acknowledged the contributions of distinguished scholars, including Professors Ivan Addei Mensa, Esi Sutherland-Addy, Emmanuel Addo Obeng, and Anamoah Mensa, whose insights enriched the discourse.
She underscored that education reform is a shared responsibility, requiring input from all sectors of society.
“Every voice matters in education—experts, non-experts, children, teachers, parents—everyone’s perspective is valuable in crafting a strong and sustainable education system.
“This forum has reaffirmed that Ghanaian stakeholders are eager to move beyond partisan politics and work towards a truly transformative education system anchored on quality and equity.”
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
Government’s Commitment to Implementing Reforms
Professor Opoku-Agyemang assured the forum that the committee’s recommendations would not be ignored or shelved. Instead, they would serve as a foundational blueprint for shaping and implementing policies that will create an inclusive and equitable education system.
“Your report will not gather dust on the shelf. It will serve as the framework for our policy interventions aimed at achieving the education system that all Ghanaians deserve”.
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
She cited President John Dramani Mahama’s remarks at the launch of the forum, where he reiterated his administration’s dedication to transparency and accountability in education policymaking.
To this end, she announced that the government would allocate increased resources to critical areas such as foundational learning, language acquisition, and early learning support.
Enhancing Educational Partnerships and Teacher Autonomy
Professor Opoku-Agyemang emphasized the need for deeper collaboration between government, parents, traditional authorities, and local communities in supporting children’s learning experiences.
She proposed the establishment of “learning teams,” which would provide comprehensive guidance for students, ensuring they receive the necessary academic and moral support.
She also stressed the importance of empowering school leaders with greater autonomy to execute their responsibilities effectively. This, she noted, would be aligned with national educational priorities and supported by empirical research.
Furthermore, she commended the Minister of Education for revamping the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to prioritize research and evidence-based decision-making in education policy.
Technical and Vocational Education as a National Priority
The Vice President made a passionate case for changing perceptions about Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
She called for a paradigm shift in the way TVET is viewed, arguing that vocational training is not a fallback option for underperforming students but a strategic pathway for national development.
“People don’t choose TVET because they are not academically strong. They choose it because they have a passion for technical and practical knowledge. TVET is an exciting and valuable area, and we must recognize it as an essential component of our national development agenda”..
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
In her final remarks, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the forum’s success.
She reiterated the NDC government’s unwavering commitment to implementing the recommendations put forward, ensuring that education in Ghana becomes more inclusive, equitable, and transformative.
“This is a collective journey, and we must all work together to achieve the education system that will benefit every Ghanaian child”, she remarked.
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