Former President John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has outlined a comprehensive plan to enhance the education system in Ghana, focusing on making basic level education more viable and inclusive.

At the NAGRAT headquarters in Accra, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer met with leaders of the Teacher Unions. They engaged in a constructive policy discussion before the NDC’s manifesto’s finalization.

“I will conduct an educational reform in my first 100 days in office and the integral role of teachers in national policy reforms. My administration will focus on adopting ‘first language’ as a medium of instruction from KG to Basic 3 and training more teachers in major local languages to facilitate teaching and learning at the basic levels.”
Former President John Dramani Mahama

Former President Mahama emphasized the importance of basic level education as the foundation of a good educational system. He aimed to improve teaching, learning, and performance at this level by enhancing infrastructure, ensuring the timely release of teaching and learning materials, and managing capitation grants effectively.

Additionally, Former President Mahama indicated that from 2025, the NDC government will invest heavily in basic education to ensure a strong foundation for the education sector, emphasizing the importance of private schools as partners in providing quality education.

Former President Mahama promised to work with teacher unions and the Ghana Education Service to implement incentive packages for teachers, especially in deprived areas. This includes developing an Auto Loan and Housing Scheme to support teachers in acquiring cars and houses.

“I will prioritize the revival of abandoned TVET and E-blocks in our education infrastructure drive to decongest schools and improve the quality of education. We also plan to review and improve the implementation of the Free SHS policy, resolve its associated challenges, and mainstream TVET and STEM in all secondary schools.”
Former President John Dramani Mahama

Former President Mahama further stressed that timely disbursement of the capitation grant to education directorates and schools will be a priority. He also promised to remove the capping and collateralization of the GETFUND and resume the free sanitary pad distribution policy.

Former President Mahama said, “To encourage reading at the basic level, we plan to build more libraries and resume providing reading and textbooks for all basic schools.”

The NDC plans to address congestion in schools and improve the teaching and learning environment through massive infrastructure development. This includes prioritizing abandoned infrastructure in basic and senior high schools, as well as TVET schools.

Former President Mahama again promised to include private secondary schools in the Free SHS programme, acknowledging their role in providing quality education and their ability to support the programme with the necessary infrastructure and human resources.

These initiatives reflect Mahama’s commitment to building a better and more inclusive education system for Ghana, aiming to address the current challenges and improve the educational outcomes for children and the future of the nation.