Ministry of Education has directed the immediate suspension of all Senior High School graduation ceremonies nationwide over concerns about excessive displays of wealth during post-examination celebrations.

The move follows an earlier Ghana Education Service ban on flamboyant celebrations after reports of parents presenting expensive gifts, including cars and money bouquets, to students at school events, with the Ministry saying growing public concern over these extravagant displays prompted the decision to protect the values of discipline, modesty and equality within schools.

“The Ministry wishes to emphasize that schools are institutions for learning, character development, discipline, and the nurturing of responsible citizens. Graduation ceremonies are intended to celebrate academic achievement and personal growth and should therefore reflect the values of modesty, dignity, and respect associated with the educational environment,”.
Ghana education service

the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, directed the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service to suspend all Senior High School graduation ceremonies with immediate effect pending a comprehensive review of the existing guidelines governing such events.

The Ministry indicated that the review is intended to ensure that school ceremonies remain consistent with the objectives of Ghana’s education system while promoting discipline, responsibility and moral development.

GES Moves to Curb Flamboyant Celebrations

A day before the Ministry’s directive, the Ghana Education Service had announced a ban on lavish post-examination celebrations on school premises following what it described as an emerging culture of ostentatious displays by some parents and guardians.

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Relations, Daniel Fenyi, on 20th June, 2026. GES noted with concern that some parents were increasingly presenting expensive gifts, including motor vehicles and money bouquets, to students immediately after completing their Senior High School education.

While acknowledging that parents have every right to celebrate the achievements of their children, the Service stressed that such extravagant displays have no place within educational institutions.

“In order to ensure that this practice does not gain roots in the school culture, Management wishes to inform the general public that, henceforth, post-examination celebrations that are characterised by lavish presentation of items such as motor vehicles to students are prohibited on school premises,”.
Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations,

The GES further warned that heads of schools who permit such practices on their campuses would face sanctions.Protecting Equality Within Schools

The Ghana Education Service explained that schools are intended to serve as social equalisers where merit, discipline and personal effort take precedence over economic status.

According to the Service, public displays of wealth during school ceremonies risk creating visible socio-economic divisions among students while shifting attention away from academic achievement to financial privilege.

The Service also cautioned that the growing trend could expose students from less privileged backgrounds to unnecessary psychological distress when they are unable to participate in similar celebrations.

“Schools are designed to promote social equalizers where merit and personal effort take priority over economic status. Ostentatious displays of wealth by parents on school premises create visible socio-economic divisions, shift the focus from academic achievement to financial privilege, and can foster psychological distress among students whose parents are not able to compete in such flamboyant celebrations,”
GES

The GES therefore appealed to parents, guardians and other stakeholders to cooperate with the new measures to preserve the values and integrity of Ghana’s educational institutions.

Growing Debate Over Graduation Celebrations

Graduation and post-examination celebrations in some Senior High Schools have become increasingly elaborate, with parents presenting luxury vehicles, cash gifts and other expensive items to students on school compounds.

While some parents have defended the celebrations as expressions of appreciation for their children’s academic achievements, education stakeholders argue that the trend is turning school ceremonies into displays of wealth rather than celebrations of educational success.

GES has warned that such practices risk widening social inequalities, encouraging unhealthy competition and placing pressure on families, while the government’s intervention aims to preserve the educational purpose of graduation ceremonies and promote humility, discipline and equal opportunity in schools.

All Senior High School graduation ceremonies will remain suspended pending a review of existing guidelines aimed at promoting academic excellence while discouraging excessive displays of wealth.