Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, the Provost of the College of Education Studies at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has been named the new Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES). 

The announcement was made via a Facebook post by the GES on Monday, January 27, 2025.  

Professor Davis, a distinguished academic and seasoned education professional, brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mathematics Education from Monash University in Australia and has an impressive track record in academia and research. His contributions to education have earned him recognition as a Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow, a prestigious accolade awarded to scholars who advance education and research in Africa.  

A prominent member of the Ghana Mathematics Association, Professor Davis has been instrumental in promoting excellence in mathematics education across the country. His leadership roles extend to education research, having served as Vice President of the Ghana Education Research Association (GERA-Ghana), a professional body dedicated to improving educational policies, practices, and outcomes through evidence-based approaches.  

Professor Davis succeeds Dr. Eric Nkansah, who was appointed Director-General of GES on October 19, 2022, by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. During his tenure, Dr. Nkansah focused on addressing critical issues in the education sector, including teacher welfare, curriculum development, and infrastructure improvements.  

In a statement following the announcement, the GES expressed confidence in Professor Davis’s ability to lead the service to greater heights. "Professor Davis’s wealth of experience and dedication to education make him the ideal candidate to steer the Ghana Education Service toward achieving its goals," the statement read.  

Stakeholders in the education sector have also welcomed the appointment, highlighting Professor Davis’s proven leadership and innovative approach to education. 

The former Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Eric Nkansah, also extended heartfelt congratulations to Professor Ernest Kofi Davis following his appointment as the new Director-General of the Service.

In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Mr Nkansah expressed his best wishes for the incoming Director-General, stating, "I wish the new DG well in his new role. Let's all support him to succeed."

Despite stepping down from his position, Mr Nkansah emphasized his ongoing commitment to education and pledged to continue contributing to the nation’s educational development in other capacities. He also took a moment to thank key stakeholders in the education sector, saying, "Your commitment to ensuring the success of Ghana’s education system has been simply exceptional. I am immensely proud of what we accomplished together."

Who is Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, the new Director-General of Ghana Education Service

* Started formal education at Self-Reliance Kindergarten in 1976

* Continued at the Presbyterian Primary School in Abowinmu in 1978, and later to Aboom A.M.E. Zion School in 1981, all in Cape Coast.

* After his primary education, he entered the then Experimental JHS, Bakatsir in Cape Coast in 1985 and completed in 1987.

* Gained admission to Mfantsipim School in 1987, where he obtained both his “O” and “A” level certificates in 1991 and 1993 respectively.

* After his National Service in 1994, he gained admission to the University of Cape Coast in 1996 to pursue a B.Ed (Mathematics) and graduated in 1999.

* Appointed as a Senior Research Assistant in the then Department of Science and Mathematics Education in 2000.

* Transferred to the Institute of Education in 2002 and was awarded a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) scholarship to study in Japan.

* Pursued MA (Mathematics Education) at the Hiroshima University in Japan between 2000 and 2004.

* Appointed as a lecturer at the Institute of Education upon his return from Japan in 2004

* In 2007, he was awarded two Australian government scholarships to pursue a PhD (Mathematics Education) programme at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, which he completed successfully in December 2010.

* By dint of hard work, he was promoted to the ranks of Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor in 2010, 2015, and 2018, respectively.

* Supervised 11 PhD and 25 MPhil theses.

* Made scholarly contributions to the field of Mathematics Education with 50 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals such as Sage Open, amongst others.

* Leader of the team that developed the new B. Ed national curriculum for preparing teachers at the basic school level in Ghana and UCC affiliated colleges, College of Distance Education, UCC, and regular students on UCC campus in 2018.

* Current Provost of the College of Education Studies-University Of Cape Coast (UCC)

* Married to Mrs. Etheldreda Charlotte Davis, with four children.

* A devout Christian with Pedu Liberation Family Chapel in Cape Coast.

* Delivered inaugural lecture on the theme: “Socio-cultural Issues: A Missing Ingredient in Mathematics Curriculum Development and Delivery in Ghana.” on Thursday March 28, 2024.

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