
Ho, Ghana – President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has emphasized that the commencement of the National Education Forum marks a crucial step in building consensus on reforms in the education sector.
The President officially launched the National Education Forum in Ho, bringing together key stakeholders to initiate discussions on transforming the country’s education system to better prepare students for the modern world.
Speaking at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho, under the theme “Transforming Education for a Sustainable Future,” President Mahama underscored the significance of the forum.
“So today we begin an important journey of consensus building on an important sector, and that is education,” he stated.
He acknowledged the decline in education standards over the years, noting that Ghanaians have voiced different opinions on how to address the challenges.
“For many years, we’ve watched the standards of our education suffer significant decline, and we have individually and collectively expressed our various views on how we believe the problems bedeviling the education sector can be addressed,” he said.
The President stressed that now is the time to bring together these diverse opinions onto a unified platform to shape a common strategy for improvement.
“What we have, however, lacked has been a unified platform on which the various shades of opinion and perspectives can be put into a melting pot and distilled to yield the most optimal outcomes for our children,” he noted.
President Mahama recalled his campaign pledge ahead of the 2024 elections to convene a national dialogue on education, affirming that the National Education Forum is a fulfillment of that promise.
“In the years preceding my coming into office, I had indicated my desire to convene a national dialogue on the best approach to giving Ghanaian children a shot at a better life through quality and relevant education,” he stated.
Reaffirming his commitment to inclusivity, he assured that all stakeholders concerned with education would have a voice in shaping policies and programs.
“I committed to ensuring that all who are concerned about education in Ghana have an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to shaping the policies and programs that will deliver the kind of education we all want,” he emphasized.
Expressing his satisfaction at the forum’s realization, he formally declared it open.
“I’m gratified that this has become a reality, and I stand before you today to officially open the National Education Consultative Forum with great pleasure and a deep sense of purpose,” he said.
President Mahama further highlighted that the launch of the National Education Forum is a major step in delivering on the 120-day social contract he signed with Ghanaians.
“This moment marks a significant step in fulfilling one of the commitments of our 120-day social contract with the good people of Ghana, a commitment to build consensus on the urgent and necessary reforms needed to reset our education sector,” he remarked.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites) / Ahotoronline.com | Ghana