President John Mahama has taken a decisive step towards revitalizing Ghana’s education sector by establishing an eight-member committee tasked with organizing a National Education Forum. This initiative, announced on February 2, 2025, underscores the President’s commitment to fostering a comprehensive dialogue among diverse stakeholders to address critical challenges and chart a new course for the nation’s educational landscape. The committee, chaired by the esteemed Professor George K. T. Oduro, former Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, comprises a distinguished group of academics, researchers, and policy experts, reflecting a multi-faceted approach to tackling the complexities of education reform. This assembly of expertise signals a concerted effort to draw upon a wide range of perspectives and experiences in formulating a robust and inclusive national education policy.
The committee’s mandate encompasses a broad spectrum of responsibilities, starting with defining the thematic framework for the National Education Forum. This involves articulating a central theme and sub-themes that will guide the stakeholder engagement process, ensuring a focused and productive dialogue. Furthermore, the committee is charged with identifying and inviting key stakeholders from across the education sector, encompassing students, parents, teachers from both pre-tertiary and tertiary institutions (including the private sector), researchers, civil society organizations, development partners, religious bodies, political parties, and Ghanaian educational researchers in the diaspora. This comprehensive approach aims to capture the diverse voices and perspectives that shape the educational landscape, fostering a sense of shared ownership and responsibility in shaping the future of education in Ghana.
Beyond stakeholder identification, the committee’s responsibilities extend to designing the forum’s agenda, including allocating time for thematic breakout sessions, plenary discussions, and other interactive formats. This meticulous planning will ensure a structured and efficient forum that maximizes opportunities for meaningful engagement and collaboration. The committee is also tasked with proposing a suitable venue and date for the forum, taking into consideration logistical and accessibility factors. Establishing a dedicated secretariat to document the forum’s proceedings will ensure a comprehensive record of the discussions, insights, and recommendations generated during the event.
Crucially, the committee’s mandate includes developing a budget for the National Education Forum, demonstrating a commitment to responsible resource allocation and financial transparency. This budgetary planning will ensure the forum’s successful execution and long-term impact. Moreover, the committee is charged with preparing a comprehensive report detailing the forum’s findings and recommendations, providing a valuable resource for policymakers and stakeholders. This report will serve as a roadmap for future educational reforms, guiding the implementation of actionable strategies.
The committee’s overarching goal is to draft a national education policy framework and propose an action plan for implementing the forum’s recommendations within three weeks of its conclusion. This tight timeframe emphasizes the urgency of addressing the challenges facing Ghana’s education sector and the commitment to translating dialogue and recommendations into tangible action. The framework will provide a blueprint for a more equitable, effective, and responsive education system, aligning with national development goals and aspirations. The action plan will outline concrete steps for implementing the framework’s recommendations, ensuring a structured and systematic approach to educational reform.
In addition to these specific responsibilities, the committee is empowered to consider any other issue relevant to the organization of the National Education Forum. This flexibility allows the committee to adapt to emerging needs and priorities, ensuring the forum’s relevance and effectiveness. This open-ended mandate empowers the committee to address unforeseen challenges and opportunities, ensuring the forum’s comprehensive and impactful contribution to the advancement of education in Ghana. The President’s initiative signals a renewed focus on education as a catalyst for national development and underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in shaping a brighter future for Ghana’s youth.
