Haruna Iddrisu Announces Upcoming National Education Conference to Tackle Challenges

Haruna Iddrisu, the newly sworn-in Minister of Education, has revealed plans for an upcoming National Education Conference, scheduled to take place in the coming weeks. The conference will bring together key stakeholders in education, including educators, policymakers, civil society groups, and other relevant parties, to assess the state of the education system in Ghana and strategize on how to address existing challenges.

In a statement made during his inaugural official visit to the Ministry on January 22, 2025, shortly after his swearing-in by President John Dramani Mahama, Iddrisu outlined the objectives of the conference. He emphasized that the event would serve as a platform to critically analyze the current state of education in the country, identify gaps in the system, and propose practical solutions for reform. He explained, “This conference will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to come together and engage in a thorough review of our education system, identifying its strengths and weaknesses, and recommending actions to close the gaps.”

The Minister also highlighted that the overarching aim of the conference and his leadership would be to ensure that Ghana’s education system is reformed to guarantee quality, relevance, and accessibility at all levels. He stressed the importance of education that meets the needs of the modern world, preparing students for the challenges they will face in the future. “Our goal is to create an education system that is not only accessible to all Ghanaians but also relevant and of the highest standard, equipping our citizens to face the complexities of a rapidly evolving global environment,” Iddrisu stated.

Iddrisu’s comments reflect his commitment to fulfilling President Mahama’s vision of making education in Ghana both high-quality and inclusive. The newly appointed Minister reiterated that education should be a right accessible to every Ghanaian, regardless of their background or circumstances. He underscored that it is equally important for the education system to be relevant, with curricula and teaching methods designed to address the needs of today’s world and equip students for future success.

The National Education Conference will be a pivotal event in shaping the direction of Ghana’s education system. It will facilitate a critical dialogue among a wide range of stakeholders, from educators and experts to government officials and civil society groups. This collaborative approach aims to create a shared vision for improving education in Ghana and addressing the challenges facing the sector.

One of the key issues that Minister Iddrisu intends to address during the conference is the accuracy of data related to the Free Senior High School (SHS) program. Since its implementation, there have been varying reports and claims about the number of beneficiaries of the program, which was launched to make secondary education more accessible to all Ghanaians. According to Iddrisu, the actual number of students who benefited from the Free SHS program between 2017 and 2023 stands at approximately 3.9 million. However, there are public claims, as well as parliamentary records, that suggest the figure is closer to 5.1 million.

Iddrisu emphasized the importance of verifying this data to ensure transparency and accountability, which he views as critical for effective policymaking. “My research indicates that the number of students benefiting from Free SHS between 2017 and 2023 is no more than 3.9 million. However, public claims and parliamentary records suggest a higher number of 5.1 million. We need to validate this data to ensure clarity and accountability,” he said. He made it clear that his intention was not to discredit any of the alternative figures but to ensure that the data used in future decisions is accurate and reliable.

The Minister also stressed the importance of establishing a credible and verifiable baseline for ongoing discussions and future policy initiatives. He pointed out that accurate data is essential not only for ensuring accountability but also for guiding future educational reforms and investment decisions. “Accurate data is essential for effective policy-making, and I am committed to ensuring that we rely on verified and trustworthy information as we move forward with our reforms,” he added.

The upcoming National Education Conference will be an essential step in addressing the challenges facing the education system in Ghana. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, the event will create an opportunity for dialogue and collaboration, with the aim of proposing solutions that will improve the quality and accessibility of education across the country. The outcomes of the conference are expected to shape the direction of educational policy in Ghana, ensuring that the system is equipped to meet the needs of both today’s students and the challenges of the future. Through this collaborative effort, Minister Iddrisu hopes to build an education system that empowers Ghana’s youth and contributes to the nation’s long-term development.