Ghana’s Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has shut down claims that he is dissatisfied with his ministerial posting, declaring that he is fully committed to tackling the deep-rooted challenges confronting the nation’s education system and steering it toward a stronger future.
In an interview on Channel One TV in Accra, Mr. Iddrisu explained that his appointment was a deliberate and strategic choice by President John Dramani Mahama after wide consultations, forming part of a sweeping national reform agenda for the education sector.
“Absolutely not. I believe President Mahama consulted extensively before assigning me to the Education Ministry — likely to help reset an education system that is clearly grappling with enormous difficulties,” he stated.
The Minister admitted that the sector is weighed down by longstanding structural problems spanning every level of schooling — from basic education to the secondary tier — insisting that these challenges must be confronted with urgency and determination.
“From kindergarten through primary and junior high, all the way to secondary education, there are serious issues that must be addressed decisively,” he emphasized.
Mr. Iddrisu expressed confidence that the President’s decision stemmed from trust in his competence and leadership, assuring that he remains determined to prove worthy of that confidence.
“I believe he had faith in my judgment. I have not fallen short over the past year — and I do not intend to,” he remarked.
Sharing his broader vision for the sector, the Minister revealed that government will embark on a sweeping review of the country’s education framework to ensure that future graduates possess skills relevant to modern global demands.
“We intend to reassess Ghana’s entire education system so that it produces the kind of competencies capable of thriving in the 21st century,” he noted.
He added that the upcoming reforms will shift focus from rote memorization to the cultivation of deeper intellectual abilities.
“Our goal is to equip Ghanaians with 21st-century skills — not just information, but sharp, analytical and critical minds capable of shaping national development and contributing meaningfully to global discourse,” Mr. Iddrisu affirmed.
