Former Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has urged the Mahama administration to focus on implementing its education policies rather than spending resources on the proposed National Education Forum.
The forum, which begins on February 18 with regional engagements and ends with a two-day validation conference in Accra on February 27, aims to shape the government’s education agenda. However, Fordjour believes it is unnecessary, given that the administration already campaigned on a clear vision for the sector.
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Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Monday, February 17, he argued that the government should be taking action rather than holding more discussions.
“I must say that we do not need a national education forum to be able to set a vision for President Mahama because, as a president having ample time to campaign, having set out a team to draft your manifesto, it is supposed that within that period your vision is cut out,” he said.
Fordjour emphasised that Ghanaians expect the government to deliver on its promises, including the continuation and extension of the Free SHS policy to private schools, payment of first-year fees for tertiary students in public institutions, and the abolition of the double-track system.
“They (Ghanaians) want to see how that finds expression in the budget statement that is going to be presented,” he noted.
He also pointed out that Ghana already has a comprehensive education strategic plan running from 2018 to 2030, developed with input from educationists, civil society organisations, and international partners.
“What they are going to do is nothing new. It is going to be a waste of time and waste of Ghana’s precious resources,” Fordjour stated.
He urged the government to focus on executing this existing plan rather than convening another forum to revisit issues that have already been addressed.
