Haruna Iddrisu Inaugurates National Education Forum Planning Committee

The Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has inaugurated an eight-member planning committee for the upcoming National Education Forum.

The committee, composed of distinguished educationists and policymakers, has been tasked with addressing critical challenges in Ghana’s education sector and shaping policies to ensure sustainable and equitable educational reforms.

In his address at the inauguration ceremony, the Minister acknowledged the wealth of expertise and experience that the committee members bring to the initiative. He emphasized the significance of their work, stating, “As you take the oaths today, I want to acknowledge the distinguished backgrounds and expertise that you bring to this committee. Your involvement in this initiative is a direct recognition of your contributions to the field of education and the future of our country.”

The Minister underscored the importance of the forum in supporting the President’s vision for an inclusive and effective education system, adding that the success of Ghana’s educational policies and reforms is vital for the development of a skilled human capital base. He highlighted disparities in education accessibility between different regions and the need to ensure that all Ghanaians benefit from quality education, as enshrined in the Constitution.

Discussing specific challenges, the Minister pointed to the Free Senior High School (SHS) initiative as one of Ghana’s most ambitious educational reforms, while also acknowledging the pressing issues surrounding its sustainability and financing. He urged the committee to explore solutions that guarantee both quality and equity in education. Additionally, he called for a critical examination of Ghana’s tertiary education system, particularly to increasing demand and infrastructure readiness.

“Are we adequately preparing for the increasing demand for higher education? Are we equipping our universities with the necessary infrastructure to accommodate this growth? How do we balance quality with quantity? How do we align the needs of education with the demands of industry?” he asked.

The Minister stressed that the committee’s role would be instrumental in finding answers to these pressing questions.

He further urged the committee to engage all relevant stakeholders, stating that an inclusive approach would be essential in creating a comprehensive and effective education reform strategy. “Ultimately, the President’s vision is for a sustainable, equitable, and accessible education system that benefits all Ghanaians. We count on your expertise and advice to guide us toward achieving this goal,” he concluded.

On behalf of the committee, Chairman Professor George K.T. Oduro expressed deep gratitude to the President, Vice President, and the Minister for their trust. He assured that the committee is fully committed to executing its mandate within the stipulated timeframe. “When I reviewed the list of committee members, I was confident that we have assembled a solid team, one that is capable of rising to the challenges. We understand that the task ahead is demanding, especially with the tight timeframe, but I assure you that we are fully committed to completing this task within the next two weeks,” he stated.

The committee inaugurated included, Professor George K.T. Oduro – Chairman, Professor Goski Alabi, Professor Rosemary Bosu, Dr. Samuel Awuku, Professor Smile Dzisi, Mr. Kofi Asare, Mr. Stephen Owusu and Mr. Inusah Shirazu all members.

The committee is expected to present its findings and recommendations to support the continued development of Ghana’s education sector. Their work will be crucial in addressing systemic challenges and ensuring that educational policies align with the nation’s long-term developmental goals.

BY: Mabel Delassie Awuku

Public Relations Unit

Ministry of Education