The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has stated that the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has surpassed its manifesto commitments, and will continue to propel Ghana’s development, especially in the area of education.
Speaking during the occasion of ‘Free SHS Story’ at the UPSA Auditorium, Accra, yesterday, Dr. Adutwum noted that the NPP’s efforts had exceeded expectations, citing the construction of the state-of-the-art Accra STEM Academy as a prime example.
He said despite not being initially outlined in the party’s manifesto, the establishment of this Academy solidifies the NPP’s dedication to utilizing taxpayer funds effectively for the betterment of the citizens.
He stated that ultra-modern facility stands as a testament to the NPP’s commitment to delivering tangible results beyond mere promises.
Delivering on education
Dr. Adutwum reiterated that the NPP government remained steadfast in its mission to advance Ghana’s education sector and enhance opportunities for all citizens.
According to him, Ghana is currently undergoing an unprecedented educational revolution, particularly in public basic and junior high schools, challenging prevailing doubts and skepticism.
Dr Adutwum said the revolutionary changes are based on evidence-based communication, a shift from conventional education norms characterised by rectangular brown and yellow buildings and uniforms.
He added that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education is the cornerstone of the government’s technological development and industrialisation agenda. He said that was why the government had made creditable investments to improve the rollout and delivery of STEM in the country.
He added the Ministry was retooling existing schools, and constructing new ones, offering courses in General Science, Aviation, and Aerospace—aligning Ghanaian education with global standards.
Doing this, he believes, can make Ghanaian students become the best in the world, saying “they’re the ones who will make Ghana greater than before so the government is poised at helping these children get to the top regardless of their backgrounds”.
He expressed confidence that such initiatives would continue to uplift communities, and foster a brighter future for Ghana.
Higher SHS enrolment
The Education Minister mentioned that the five regions of the North had embraced the Free senior high school (SHS) programme than anywhere else in the country.
For instance, he said, out of every 100 students who qualified for SHS in the Northern Region, 95 of them enrolled in the schools, adding that the figure was one of the highest in the world.
He said the North East and Savannah regions also recorded 94 per cent each in enrolment into SHS, with the Upper East Region attaining 92 per cent, while the Upper West Region had 89 per cent, the lowest figure in the north.
“But you know, the lowest in the north is higher than those in the southern part of the country,” Dr Adutwum said. He emphasised the critical role of education in driving national transformation and development, noting that it was the reason a number of interventions had been put in place to provide quality education for all.
“If you don’t improve education and make it relevant, you cannot change your country,” he said. He mentioned the construction of new junior high school infrastructure, the provision of science laboratories in SHSs and the establishment of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) schools across the country as some of the interventions.
He showed images of state-of-the-art facilities, such as science laboratories and smart classrooms, to demonstrate the government’s investment in infrastructure and technology.
Dr Adutwum stressed the importance of collaborative learning, effective communication skills and a skilled workforce to drive economic growth.
He also mentioned innovative approaches to school partnerships, citing successful affiliations between high-performing schools and new institutions, and the need for mentorship and collaboration to raise educational standards.
Dr Adutwum further expressed optimism about the future of education in the country, saying “in the next few years, you are going to see a transformation, and that transformation will have come through education”.
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