The Government of Ghana and the World Bank will launch the World Bank’s regional education strategy for Western and Central Africa on June 27, 2022 in Accra, Ghana.
The strategy titled ‘From School to Jobs: A Journey for the Young People of Western and Central Africa’ will be out doored during a regional ministerial meeting which is expected to feature over 40 Ministers of Finance and Ministers of Education from 22 countries.
During the event, Ministers of Education and Finance from across the region will discuss the need to scale up reforms and build a coalition to improve education outcomes in Western and Central African countries.
Specifically, the Ministers of Education and Finance will discuss priorities and investments needed to advance reforms, improve learning and reimagine education systems to ensure that young people from across the region are able to fulfill their full potential.
The presentation of the World Bank’s Regional Education Strategy will be done by the World Bank Task Team Lead.
After that, discussions will highlight lessons learned from consultations with key stakeholders, and present policy options identified in the new World Bank regional strategy.
High profile personalities to grace the event
The event will feature remarks from the World Bank’s Senior Management in the region and discussions with a distinguished panel of African leaders, civil society organizations and the youth.
H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is expected to give the opening remarks of the event which will be held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, Ghana. Dr. Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and Head of Ghana’s Economic Management team will also take part in the panel discussion to be moderated by Fifi Peters.
The panel discussion will feature, in addition to Dr. Bawumia, Hon. Ms. Nalova Lyonga Pauline Ebge, Minister of Secondary Education, Cameroon; Hon. Mr. Abdoulaye Daouda Diallo, Minister of Finance and Budget, Senegal; Dr. Joan Oviawe, Commissioner of Education, Edo State, Nigeria; Mr. Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa; and Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance, Ghana.
Prior to the panel discussions, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to give the Welcome Remarks for the event as the host Minister of Finance.
The Livestream of the opening session will start from 10:00AM to 12:00 PM GMT/Accra time. This will be followed by a press conference from 17:00 to 17:30 PM GMT.
“Despite progress in access to education over the last decades, 80% of 10-year-old children in the region are unable to read and understand a simple text, and more than 32 million children remain out of school, the largest share of the world’s out of school children”.
Ministry of Finance, Ghana
Education is the cornerstone of development. It is an essential driver for stability, social cohesion, and peace.
Analysis also shows that there are many innovations and successful programs from across the continent that demonstrate the tremendous results that can be achieved when leadership and political will are met with adequate funding, Ghana’s Finance Ministry highlighted in a statement.
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