KEY POINTS
- President Mahama appoints an eight-member team to organize the forum.
- The committee has two weeks to submit its education reform plan.
- The forum aims to develop policies for improving Ghana’s education system.
President John Dramani Mahama has fulfilled his pledge to engage stakeholders in developing Ghana’s education sector by appointing an eight-member committee to organize the National Education Forum.
The committee, chaired by Professor George K.T. Oduro, a former Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, has been given a two-week deadline to submit its report and plan for the forum.
The committee includes Professor Goski Alabi, Professor Rosemary Bosu, Dr. Samuel Awuku, Professor Smile Dzisi, Kofi Asare, Stephen Owusu, and Inusah Shiraz.
However, these members bring expertise from various sectors, ensuring a broad and inclusive approach to education policy reform.
Forum to focus on key education challenges
According to a statement from the Presidency Communications Office, signed by Acting Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the committee has several responsibilities.
These include developing the forum’s theme and sub-themes, identifying key stakeholders, and setting an agenda for discussions.
Moreover, the forum aims to bring together students, parents, teachers, private sector players, civil society organizations, religious bodies, political parties, chiefs, and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education.
It will also involve Ghanaian educational researchers in the diaspora to ensure a holistic approach to education reform.
Additionally, the committee will recommend a venue and date, create a budget, and establish a secretariat to document all forum activities.
After the event, the team will compile a comprehensive report, including findings and recommendations, and draft a national education policy framework for implementation within three weeks.
Prof. George K.T. Oduro’s role in education leadership
Professor George K.T. Oduro is a respected scholar with expertise in educational administration, leadership, and policy formulation.
A graduate of Cambridge University, his Ph.D. research earned him recognition in the 2004 British Educational Leadership, Management, and Administration Society (BELMAS) Best Thesis Competition.
With over 23 years of experience in Ghana’s education sector, Prof. Oduro has contributed to numerous national and international research initiatives aimed at improving education in Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to Graphic Online, he has also been a strong advocate for non-politicization of education and Leadership for Learning (LfL), emphasizing effective school leadership and teaching practices.
The National Education Forum is expected to serve as a transformative platform, fostering collaborative discussions on education challenges while shaping policies that will improve learning outcomes and the future of Ghana’s education sector.
