Senior Presidential Advisor Yaw Osafo-Maafo Criticizes Ghana’s Education System

Senior Presidential Advisor Yaw Osafo-Maafo has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana’s educational system. He noted that despite a high number of educated individuals, the country continues to grapple with significant challenges. The former Finance Minister highlighted issues such as poor sanitation, flooding with severe consequences, and the recurring damage to school infrastructure whenever it rains.

Addressing the International Educators Summit 2024 under the theme “Reimagining Education for the Future We Seek: Africa and the World in Dialogue,” Mr. Osafo-Maafo emphasized that education should play a crucial role in solving societal problems rather than exacerbating them.

He called for a reevaluation of Ghana’s educational approach to ensure it equips students with skills that address real-world challenges effectively.

Mr. Osafo-Maafo thus underscored a broader critique of Ghana’s educational system and advocated for reforms that prioritize practical solutions and societal impact.

“We have a change, but that change must be manifested into solving the problems facing this country, as we go along. So, we should begin to think through education as a problem-solver for the nation."

“This is my simple message to the Minister of Education [Dr. Yaw Osei-Adutwum], and the whole educational system. We have a myriad of problems facing us in our education system."

“Our education system and the content should aim directly at resolving these problems, simple problems like sanitation, flooding,” he stated.