Dr Clement Apaak with the Duke of Edinburgh in Ghana
Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to nationwide play-based early childhood education during a visit by the Duke of Edinburgh to the Presbyterian Women’s College of Education (PWCE) and its model kindergarten in Aburi.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, praised the visit as a strong endorsement of Ghana’s drive to transform learning in the early years.
He told guests the Duke’s presence “underscores the deep and enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and Ghana,” adding that it also reflects “our shared commitment to investing in the foundational years of our children.”
Dr Apaak emphasised that play remains the foundation of effective early learning, noting that research consistently demonstrates its impact on literacy, numeracy, curiosity, confidence, and social development.
“Play is the genesis of all structured learning,” he said, stressing that young children learn best when allowed to explore, question, and make sense of their world through interactive experiences.
He explained that Ghana’s policies already prioritise play-based instruction, but the national task is translating those policies into daily classroom reality.
According to him, this requires reorienting teachers away from traditional rote methods.
“We must equip every teacher with the essential skills to transition to dynamic, child-centred instruction,” he noted, describing early grade teachers as “the architects shaping the character and cognitive abilities of the next generation.”
The deputy minister highlighted the partnership between PWCE and Sabre Education as a model the government intends to scale.
He commended the collaboration for strengthening student-teacher preparation, upgrading the skills of teachers already in service, and improving both the learning experiences and emotional well-being of young pupils.
He acknowledged the catalytic role of previous UK government support, saying it has demonstrated “how international cooperation can deliver transformative, lasting educational impact.”
Dr Apaak confirmed that the Ministry of Education is committed to expanding the PWCE-Sabre model nationwide. “
You are setting the gold standard,” he told teachers and partners, describing the initiative as a “monumental, nationwide effort” aimed at ensuring every district benefits from high-quality early childhood pedagogy.
He invited the Duke and other guests to tour the demonstration classrooms to observe the approach in practice, saying the experience would show “how the simple act of play is changing teaching and changing the lives of Ghana’s future leaders.”
