Former Chairman of the National Peace Council, Professor Emmanuel Asante, has highlighted the disparities in Ghana’s education system, saying they can hamper national development.
He notes that while rural and urban schools follow the same curriculum, village schools struggle with inadequate learning materials, infrastructure and support systems, putting them at a disadvantage.
“Those in the urban areas relatively, have school facilities so it’s rare to find school under trees in areas like Kumasi and other urban areas. But it is prevalent in the villages,” he said in Twi.
Speaking on the sidelines of a transformation conference in Kumasi on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Prof. Asante stressed the need for government and stakeholders to prioritise investment in rural education to bridge the educational gap to promote equal opportunities for all.
“They also lack Teaching and Learning Materials,” he noted, adding that the responsibility cannot be left for the government alone.
He called on traditional authorities, religious bodies and others to contribute to eradicating the challenge.
The former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, further urged individuals in urban centres to support their alma maters through resource mobilisation.
“We cannot leave everything to the government. That’s why I stressed on the need for the community leaders, churches, traditional councils to all help. Those of us from the villages who are now in the cities can mobilise resources to also go and help to bridge the gap.
With additional files from Kwame Baffoe Agyekum
