President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his commitment to make education the cornerstone of national development.
He stressed that the significant investment in education and various initiatives being implemented by his administration are aimed at transforming Ghana into a knowledge-driven economy.
The President’s address at the Valley View University highlighted the significant progress made in the education sector and the unwavering commitment to providing quality education to all Ghanaians.
The President made the remarks while receiving the fifth honorary doctorate from Valley View University on Sunday, July 14, 2024.
The President used the opportunity to highlight the remarkable progress his administration has made in the field of education. Since assuming office in 2017, he has prioritised education as a cornerstone of his government’s agenda and has implemented policies and programmes aimed at transforming the education landscape in Ghana.
One of the most notable achievements of President Akufo-Addo’s administration is the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy launched in 2017. This bold initiative aimed to remove the economic barriers that have prevented many Ghanaian youth from continuing their education beyond secondary school. “Education is at the heart of my administration’s agenda,” the President stressed. The SHS policy has enabled over five million Ghanaian children to attend secondary school, with a record high of 503,000 students enrolled this year, the highest number of students enrolled in a single year in the country’s history.
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The President highlighted the significant budget allocated to the education sector, totalling 12.88 billion cedis. These funds are being used to improve infrastructure, provide educational materials and support various educational programmes that will enhance the quality of education at all levels. “Our attachment to education is also reflected in the unprecedented budgetary allocation to the sector,” the President said, underlining 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 education system, the government aims to lay a strong foundation for the country’s future. “We have launched several interventions aimed at improving the quality of education and ensuring that every child has access to a holistic and balanced education,” the President said.
In addition to the free SHS policy, the President highlighted efforts to support tertiary education. The “no guarantor” policy through the Student Loan Trust Fund has significantly increased access to higher education by eliminating the need for a guarantor. This policy has enabled students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their educational dreams without undue financial burden. The number of students seeking higher education has increased from 443,978 in the 2016/2017 academic year to 711,695 in the 2022/2023 academic year.
To cater for the growing number of students pursuing tertiary education, the government has decided to establish four new universities in Mampong, Akrodi, Bunso and Kintampo, and expand facilities at existing universities. These initiatives are part of the government’s strategy to increase the gross enrolment ratio in tertiary education to 40 percent by 2030 from the current 18.84 percent. “The education reforms implemented by the Akufo-Addo administration include tertiary education, resulting in significant advances in access, infrastructure development and STEM initiatives across the country,” the President noted.
Furthermore, the government attaches great importance to the disbursement of research and library funds to the academic community. Since 2020, the government has disbursed GH¢226 million for research and GH¢491 million for libraries. These investments are intended to stimulate an environment conducive to academic research and innovation, enhancing the quality of education in Ghana and enhancing research excellence.
“It would be no greater honour or pleasure for me if one day the historians of Ghana refer to me as the Education President,” President Akufo-Addo declared.