President John Dramani Mahama has apologised to faith-based organisations for the delay in inviting them to the National Education Consultative Forum, calling the oversight "unpardonable."
Speaking at the forum on Tuesday, February 18 2025, President Mahama addressed stakeholders in Ghana’s education sector and extended his "sincerest apologies" on behalf of the planning committee to the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) and the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG).
“I’m aware that the omission was quickly rectified, but you still deserve an unqualified apology for this oversight,” President Mahama said. “And since you are the purveyors of God’s mercy on Earth, I’m sure that you have forgiven us.”
The apology came after the GCBC and CCG criticised their initial exclusion from the forum. In a statement issued on February 17, the two organisations described their omission as a setback to inclusive discussions on education reform.
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They warned that policies developed without their input might not reflect the values and needs of many Ghanaians.
The GCBC and CCG oversee hundreds of schools nationwide and have played a major role in Ghana’s education system.
They stressed the need for broad representation in discussions addressing the country’s education challenges, including infrastructure deficits, teacher shortages, and unequal access to quality education.
President Mahama stressed the need for all voices to be heard in shaping education policies.
He said the forum was created to bring stakeholders together to develop solutions that would improve the sector.
The National Education Consultative Forum, running from February 18-19, is expected to produce recommendations for reforms in Ghana’s education system.
