Ghana's education politics: A sine qua non of destruction

Ghana's education system, despite being a civil service, has become increasingly politicised.

Those in positions of power are more focused on advancing their political ideologies than upholding the core values and principles of education.

This has led to a depletion of the system's integrity and effectiveness.

The politicisation of education in Ghana is a recipe for disaster. Immediately a new government is formed, political activism sets in and politicians scramble to place their loyalists in key positions.

This is done not to serve the nation but to protect and advance their own political interests. The needs and interests of Ghanaian citizens are often overlooked in this process.

Consequence of politicisation

The consequences of this politicisation are severe. It leads to poor policy decisions, inadequate resource allocation and a lack of accountability. Ultimately, it is the students who suffer, as they are denied access to quality education.

For the past eight years, I have witnessed firsthand the sharp changes in our educational landscape. Some of these changes have been appropriate while others have been difficult to comprehend due to their lack of purpose and direction. 

The Ministry of Education has spent enormous sums of money training and retraining political appointees who are more focused on serving their political masters than the nation.

This has resulted in a system where the capacity built in one administration is lost in the next, as new political influencers take over. This is a key factor that undermines the educational system and destroys its intrinsic power.

Development partners are also not immune to this politicisation.

They are forced to review their ongoing and upcoming projects to reflect the current government's political agenda.

Some have even withdrawn funding for certain projects due to fear of being associated with the outgoing administration.

The situation in Ghana's education system has become increasingly dire.

Politicians managing education from a political standpoint have crippled the system with propaganda initiatives focused on superficial improvements, such as lavishly decorated buildings, rather than addressing the underlying educational needs and providing meaningful resources for solutions.

Private education

Furthermore, private education, a crucial component of education delivery, has been undermined despite its constitutional demands.

The evidence of engagement has yielded no results and these education politicians have continued to prioritise political interests over the needs of Ghanaian citizens.

A striking example of this is the decision to grant all Category A Senior High Schools access to one constituency, seemingly in exchange for political votes.

This move has deprived other Ghanaians of taxpayer money, highlighting the blatant disregard for equality and fairness in the education system.

Ironically, citizens who dare to speak out against these unequal decisions are automatically barred from participating in any educational activities in the country, regardless of their potential contributions to policy decision-making.

Multifaceted approach

To address the politicisation of Ghana's education system, we need a multifaceted approach that prioritises the needs of students and citizens over political interests.

- Depoliticise the Education Sector: Implement measures to reduce political influence in education, such as merit-based appointments and promotions.

- Increase Transparency and Accountability: Implement robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track education outcomes and ensure accountability.

- Promote Private Education: Recognise the importance of private education in Ghana and provide support to ensure it complements public education.

- Foster Stakeholder Engagement: Encourage participation from teachers, students, parents and communities in education decision-making to ensure their needs are addressed.

- Develop a National Education Strategy: Create a comprehensive strategy that outlines clear goals, objectives and timelines for education development, insulated from political interference.

The writer is with the Faculty of Law - KAAF University
Email: gyetuahpenoch@gmail.com