The National Education Forum, launched by President John Dramani Mahama, is an important national initiative aimed at addressing key issues within Ghana’s education sector.
The forum, which kicks off on February 18, 2025, in Ho, will span multiple regions and conclude on February 28, 2025.
The theme, “Transforming Education for a Sustainable Future,” serves as a clarion call to address the challenges at all levels of education starting from basic education to secondary school while focusing on equitable growth and sustainability.
One of the central reasons for this forum is the long-standing neglect of Ghana’s basic education system.
While much of the focus in recent years has been on the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, President Mahama believes that the primary level of education has been ignored.
Speaking in an interview with VOA’s Paul Ndiho on Saturday, December 14, 2025, President Mahama emphasized the need to focus on the basic education level, which he believes has been neglected due to the emphasis on the Free Senior High School (SHS) program introduced by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2017.
“We are going to look at the basic level too. Because we are focused on Free SHS, we are abandoning the basic level. The basic level is becoming a major problem. 1.3 million pupils do not have furniture; they don’t have tables and chairs to sit on. They lie on their school mats in the classroom or sit on cement blocks, and that is because all our focus has been on the secondary school level.”
“So, we are going to hold a national education forum, and that forum is going to bring all the stakeholders together. We are going to take a look at the whole education value chain, and we are going to come to a consensus,” he stated.
The forum aims to highlight the urgent need for improvements at the foundational level, ensuring that every child in Ghana has access to a conducive learning environment starting from the basics.
Why a holistic approach is necessary for education reforms
The National Education Forum aims to address multiple facets of the education system. The focus will not only be on primary and secondary education but also on five critical areas; infrastructure, quality education, regulations and accountability, education financing, and research.
These areas are interconnected and need a comprehensive approach to reform.
Ghana’s educational facilities, particularly in rural areas, often lack basic amenities like classrooms, desks, and clean water.
Addressing these infrastructure gaps will ensure that students have a safe, functional place to learn. The forum will also explore strategies to improve teaching, curriculum standards, and the use of technology in schools.
Why stakeholder engagement is key
Education is a shared responsibility, and the forum aims to bring together various stakeholders such as educators, policymakers, parents, students, civil society organizations, and the general public.
This inclusive approach is crucial because it ensures that diverse perspectives and solutions are considered.
A key feature of the forum is the regional engagement model, where citizens from different regions will have the opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestions.
This approach will give everyone from the diaspora to local communities, the chance to contribute to the conversation, making it truly national in scope.
A focus on sustainability
One of the forum’s core objectives is to address the sustainability of the Free SHS program. While the initiative has been a significant success, there are concerns about its long-term viability.
Discussions at the forum will focus on finding solutions for sustainable financing, ensuring that quality education is accessible to all without overburdening the national budget.
The focus on sustainability also extends to the broader educational reforms that are needed to address issues such as teacher training, curriculum development, and the balance between access and quality.
A vision for the future of education in Ghana
Ultimately, the National Education Forum seeks to lay the foundation for a better future. It’s about transforming an education system that is currently struggling with inequality and underfunding.
It’s about finding solutions that are practical, sustainable, and effective in addressing the needs of all students, whether they’re in urban or rural areas.
By focusing on the entire education value chain, from infrastructure to research, President Mahama’s forum offers a comprehensive look at what needs to change.
Through collaborative engagement and informed decision-making, the forum seeks to create an education system that equips future generations of Ghanaians with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
The National Education Forum is not just an event, but a crucial step toward shaping the future of education in Ghana, one that ensures every child, no matter their background, has the opportunity to succeed.
It represents a critical step in Ghana’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which seeks to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all.
By bringing together key stakeholders, including educators, policymakers, and the community, the forum addresses critical issues such as quality education, governance, and education financing.
Through this national dialogue, the government aims to create a sustainable education system that ensures no student is left behind, contributing to the global goals of SDG 4.
This initiative, coupled with the implementation of effective policies and solutions, holds the potential to transform Ghana’s education sector and provide every student with the tools they need to succeed, paving the way for a brighter future and a more inclusive society.
JKB/MA
In the meantime, watch as Ketu North MP speaks on vetting committee chaos and appointment revocations
