It’ll be an honour for historians to describe me as ‘Education President’ – Akufo-Addo

• Posted on July 15, 2024July 15, 2024
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed his commitment to making education a cornerstone of national development.

He emphasized that the substantial investments in education and the various initiatives implemented by his administration are aimed at transforming Ghana into a knowledge-driven economy.

The President’s speech at Valley View University highlighted the significant progress made in the education sector and the unwavering commitment to providing quality education for all Ghanaians.

The president said this when he received his fifth honorary doctorate degree from Valley View University on Sunday, 14th July 2024.

He took the opportunity to highlight the remarkable strides his administration has made in the education sector. Since assuming office in 2017, the President has prioritized education as a cornerstone of his government’s agenda, implementing policies and programs aimed at transforming the educational landscape of Ghana.

One of the most notable achievements of President Akufo-Addo’s administration is the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, launched in 2017. This bold initiative aimed to remove financial barriers that previously prevented many young Ghanaians from continuing their education beyond junior high school. “Education has been a cornerstone of my administration’s agenda,” the President emphasized. The Free SHS policy has enabled over five million Ghanaian children to pursue secondary education, with a record high enrolment of 503,000 students this year, marking the highest enrolment in a single year in the nation’s history.

The President highlighted the substantial budgetary allocations made to the education sector, totaling GH¢12.88 billion. These funds have been used to improve infrastructure, provide teaching and learning materials, and support various educational programs that enhance the quality of education at all levels. “Our attachment to education is further reflected in the unprecedented budgetary allocations we have made to the sector,” he stated, underscoring his government’s commitment to making education a catalyst for national transformation.

President Akufo-Addo also outlined various interventions aimed at improving the quality of education. These include teacher training programs, curriculum reforms, and the introduction of digital tools and resources to enhance teaching and learning. By investing in the professional development of educators and modernizing the educational system, the government aims to lay a strong foundation for the future of the nation. “We have launched several interventions aimed at improving the quality of education and ensuring that every child receives a holistic and well-rounded education,” the President said.

In addition to the Free SHS policy, the President highlighted efforts to support tertiary education. The “No Guarantor” policy under the Student Loan Trust Fund has significantly increased access to higher education by eliminating the requirement for a guarantor. This policy has empowered students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their educational aspirations without undue financial burden. The number of students seeking tertiary education has risen from 443,978 in the 2016/2017 academic year to 711,695 in the 2022/2023 academic year.

To accommodate the growing number of tertiary students, the government has decided to establish four new universities in Mampong, Akrodie, Bunso, and Kintampo, and expand facilities in existing ones. These initiatives are part of the government’s strategy to achieve a 40% Gross Tertiary Enrolment Ratio by 2030, up from the current 18.84%. “The educational reforms carried out by the Akufo-Addo Government have also encompassed tertiary education, materially advancing access, infrastructure development, and STEM initiatives across the country,” the President noted.

Furthermore, the government has placed immense importance on the payment of research and book allowances to academia. Since 2020, the government has disbursed GH¢226 million as research allowance and GH¢491 million as book allowance. These investments aim to stimulate an environment conducive to scholarly investigation and innovation, enriching the quality of education and elevating research excellence in Ghana.

“Nothing would give me more honor or more pleasure than if, one day, Ghana’s historians were to describe me as the Education President,” President Akufo-Addo declared.