Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has lauded the impact of Ghana’s free secondary education policies while drawing attention to persistent regional disparities in educational access.
Speaking at the National Tertiary Education Conference held at the University of Ghana, he highlighted a 95% transition rate from junior high to senior high school in the Northern Region last year.
However, he expressed concern about the Volta Region, where the transition rate stood at only 76%.
Dr. Adutwum warned that if these disparities are not addressed, affirmative action might become necessary to ensure equitable access to education across the country.
“If we do not address equity at the pre-university level, achieving an equitable tertiary education environment will remain challenging,” he stated.
The conference also focused on the pending Free Secondary Education Bill, currently under review in Parliament.
Dr. Adutwum described the bill as a key step toward establishing free, universal secondary education, which he believes will expand access and promote nationwide equity.
Prof. Abdullai Ahmed Jinapor, Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, emphasized the transformative role of tertiary education in achieving Ghana’s development goals.
Referencing World Bank research, Dr. Adutwum highlighted how higher education drives human capital growth, innovation, and social mobility, which are essential for global competitiveness.
Prof. Jinapor noted that the conference serves as a crucial platform for collaboration among academia, government, and industry.
“This conference is more than just intellectual discussion. It’s a platform for building strategic partnerships that will have lasting impacts on our educational system,” he said.
The conference concluded with a strong call for stakeholders to enhance cooperation and craft policies that support an inclusive, innovative, and competitive education system aligned with Ghana’s development objectives.
By Christabel Treve
