Education News from Ghana

The latest education news from Ghana, curated from the country's leading newsrooms and updated through the day. Newest stories first.

Ayisha Ibrahim is called to the Ghana Bar as a barrister
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Ayisha Ibrahim is called to the Ghana Bar as a barrister

Renowned journalist Ayisha Ibrahim has achieved a significant professional milestone following her formal call to the Ghana Bar. Ibrahim, a familiar face in the Ghanaian media landscape, was officially commissioned as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Superior Court of Judicature of Ghana. This transition marks the culmination of years of rigorous academic training and professional dedication, as she joins the ranks of the country's legal practitioners. Ibrahim's path to the Bar is supported by a strong academic foundation. She holds two master's degrees: a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Ghana and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Throughout her legal studies, she managed to balance the demanding requirements of a career in journalism with the intensive pressure of law school, a feat she has described as both difficult and rewarding. Her achievement serves as an inspiration for young professionals and students aiming to advance their education while maintaining their careers. By successfully navigating the complexities of both the media and legal sectors, Ibrahim highlights the importance of perseverance and a commitment to continuous learning. Her call to the Bar adds a new dimension to her professional identity, positioning her to contribute to the legal field alongside her established presence in journalism.

A group of female nursing students sitting in a lecture hall or assembly, appearing attentive. Most students are wearing green uniforms with white collars, while one student in the foreground is dressed in a white uniform and a white hijab.
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Hamdia Issahaku named best female nursing graduate at UDS

Hamdia Issahaku has been recognized as the Best Female Graduating Student at the University for Development Studies (UDS) School of Nursing and Midwifery, marking the culmination of a journey defined by academic excellence and personal resilience. Her achievement follows years of overcoming significant financial and personal hurdles during her undergraduate studies, eventually emerging as a top performer in her cohort. The path to this academic milestone was fraught with challenges. Following the death of her mother and a serious accident involving her brother, Issahaku faced severe financial constraints that threatened her ability to complete her education. To support herself, she demonstrated an early entrepreneurial spirit by selling products, including body splash, to fellow students on campus, using the proceeds to fund her daily needs and educational expenses. A pivotal moment in her academic journey occurred when she secured the MTN Bright Scholarship. The financial relief provided by the scholarship, which covered her tuition and other essential costs, allowed her to shift her primary focus from survival to her studies. This support proved instrumental in her ability to maintain high grades and ultimately secure the title of the school’s best female graduate. Currently, Issahaku is fulfilling her National Service obligations at the Tema General Hospital, where she is applying her clinical training to serve the public. Beyond her nursing duties, she continues to pursue her business interests by running a small beverage enterprise. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of targeted educational funding and the determination of Ghanaian students to succeed despite economic hardships.

Vice Chancellors Ghana urge university administrators to end strike
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Vice Chancellors Ghana urge university administrators to end strike

Vice Chancellors Ghana (VCG) has formally appealed to the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) to suspend its ongoing industrial action and return to work immediately. The VCG expressed deep concern over the potential for the strike to severely disrupt the academic calendar and halt essential university operations across the country. In a statement addressing the impasse, the body emphasized that industrial harmony is crucial for the welfare of students and the overall integrity of the higher education system. The call for a return to work comes amid active negotiations between the administrators, the Ministry of Education, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC). VCG noted that these discussions regarding improved remuneration and better conditions of service are progressing, with the FWSC showing a commitment to resolving the outstanding issues. The Vice Chancellors argued that a suspension of the strike would create a more conducive atmosphere for these high-level talks to reach a conclusion that benefits all parties involved. Highlighting the broader context of the Ghanaian educational landscape, the VCG pointed out that the sector is still managing the fallout from previous disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any further delays to the academic schedule could have long-term consequences for student graduation timelines and institutional planning. The VCG remains focused on ensuring that the grievances of staff are addressed without compromising the stability of the universities, urging GAUA to prioritize constructive dialogue over continued work stoppages as negotiations continue.

KNUST postpones 2026/2027 academic year reopening indefinitely
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KNUST postpones 2026/2027 academic year reopening indefinitely

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has announced the indefinite postponement of the start of the 2026/2027 academic year. Originally scheduled to begin on October 13, 2026, the reopening has been put on hold due to the ongoing industrial action by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA). The decision was communicated to students, parents, and stakeholders on October 9, 2026, as the university struggles with the operational impact of the strike. This delay affects all categories of students, including incoming freshmen and continuing students, who were preparing to resume their academic pursuits in Kumasi. The university management explained that the GAUA strike has significantly impaired the institution's administrative and operational capacity. Since university administrators are responsible for critical functions such as student registration, management of residential facilities, financial processing, and overall campus coordination, their absence makes the resumption of academic activities practically impossible. The strike has brought essential services to a standstill, leaving the university with no choice but to delay the academic calendar until the labor situation is resolved. In an official statement, KNUST expressed sincere regret for any inconvenience the postponement might cause to the university community. The administration urged all students and stakeholders to remain patient and wait for further official communication regarding a revised reopening date. The institution emphasized its appreciation for the understanding shown by the public as it navigates the challenges posed by the labor dispute. Students who may have already started traveling to the campus are advised to make the necessary adjustments to their plans. The strike by GAUA is rooted in long-standing demands for improved conditions of service and the resolution of various administrative grievances within Ghana’s public universities. Until a definitive agreement is reached between the association and the government or university authorities, the academic calendar of one of Ghana's premier science and technology institutions remains in a state of uncertainty. Students are encouraged to monitor the university's official communication channels for timely updates on the situation.

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Boarding school parents urge government to resolve teachers' strike

A concerned parent has expressed deep frustration regarding the ongoing industrial action by teachers' unions, which has left students in boarding schools without academic instruction. Speaking on the impact of the strike, the parent highlighted the significant financial sacrifices made by families to keep their children in school, only for them to remain idle. The government is being urged to settle the grievances of the striking teachers immediately to prevent further disruption to the academic calendar and minimize the financial losses currently being incurred by households. The parent described the current situation as "meaningless," pointing out the futility of maintaining students in a boarding environment where no teaching or learning is taking place. Beyond the loss of instructional time, the strike is placing an undue financial burden on parents who have already paid substantial tuition and boarding fees. The parent criticized the historical notion that teachers' rewards should only be spiritual, arguing instead for fair monetary compensation to reflect the importance of their work and the prevailing economic realities in the country. The industrial action has created a significant vacuum in schools across the country, particularly affecting those in residential facilities where supervision and structured activity are essential. Families are increasingly worried that a prolonged stalemate between the government and the teaching unions will lead to lasting academic setbacks for their children. The call for action emphasizes that a swift resolution is necessary not just for the teachers' welfare, but to ensure that the investments made by parents in their children's education are not entirely wasted. As the strike continues, pressure mounts on President John Mahama's administration to reach a compromise with the unions and restore normalcy to the classroom. Stakeholders in the education sector are watching closely to see if the government will offer a package that satisfies the teachers' demands for improved conditions. For now, parents remain in a state of uncertainty, caught between the legitimate labor demands of educators and the urgent academic needs of their children.

Old Edubiase Methodist Basic School pupils turn to agricultural labour
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Old Edubiase Methodist Basic School pupils turn to agricultural labour

Pupils at the Old Edubiase Methodist Basic School in the Ashanti Region have vacated their classrooms to engage in petty trading and agricultural labour. This follows a nationwide strike by pre-tertiary teachers that has effectively halted academic activities across the country. On October 8, a visit to the school revealed empty classrooms, with students following directives from their teachers to remain at home until the industrial dispute is resolved. The impact of the strike is visible throughout the community, where children who should be in school are instead seen hawking goods or working on farms. Parents have expressed growing frustration with the situation, noting that the lack of supervision leaves their children vulnerable to social vices. Some parents admitted that with schools closed, they have had little choice but to take their children to the fields to assist with farm work, despite the long-term risks to their education. Final-year students preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are among the most affected and have voiced their anxieties regarding the disruption. These pupils expressed disappointment over the lost instructional time, which they fear will compromise their readiness for the upcoming national exams. The pupils and their families are urging both the government and the teacher unions to find common ground to prevent further damage to the academic calendar. Although meetings between educational authorities and union leadership have been initiated, no agreement has been reached to call off the strike. The community at Old Edubiase is calling for an immediate resolution to ensure that students can return to a safe and structured learning environment. The ongoing impasse remains a significant concern for stakeholders who worry that a prolonged absence from the classroom will have lasting consequences for the students' development and future prospects.

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Kintampo L/A School compound taken over by stray cattle

The Kintampo Local Authority (L/A) Primary and Junior High School in the Bono East Region has been turned into a grazing ground and temporary kraal for stray cattle as teachers continue their nationwide industrial action. With classrooms locked and the facility largely abandoned due to the ongoing strike, herdsmen have reportedly seized the opportunity to use the school’s premises as a shelter for their animals. This development has sparked significant concern among the local community regarding the preservation and sanctity of educational infrastructure. The headmaster of the school, D.T. Francis, has officially reported the intrusion to local authorities, noting that the presence of the herds and their handlers is causing visible damage to the compound. Beyond the unauthorized use of the space, the school's surroundings are suffering from deteriorating sanitation due to the accumulation of cattle waste. Despite these reports, no decisive action has yet been taken by the municipal or traditional authorities to secure the school property or evict the herdsmen and their livestock. Local residents have expressed deep alarm over the situation, highlighting the potential health risks posed by the waste on school grounds. Community members fear that if the situation persists, the environment will become unfit for pupils and staff once the strike is called off and academic activities resume. The residents are urgently calling on the Kintampo North Municipal Assembly and the traditional council to intervene immediately to prevent further encroachment and ensure the facility is ready for its primary purpose when teachers return. The invasion at Kintampo L/A School underscores the unintended consequences of the nationwide teacher strike, which has left many public schools across Ghana without supervision. As the industrial action continues to keep educators away from their posts, the vulnerability of rural and peri-urban school infrastructure remains a pressing issue. The resolution of the strike and the immediate securing of school properties are now seen as critical steps to protecting the nation's educational assets from misuse and environmental degradation.

Kwasi Agyei targets October 15 for 52,000 teacher promotion payments
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Kwasi Agyei targets October 15 for 52,000 teacher promotion payments

The Controller and Accountant-General, Kwasi Agyei, has announced that approximately 52,000 teachers whose promotions have been delayed are scheduled to receive their salary adjustments and arrears by October 15, 2026. This development follows the completion of form processing by the Ghana Education Service (GES), which has now moved into the final validation stage to ensure accurate payments for all affected staff. The initiative is part of a concerted effort to resolve outstanding financial obligations within the education sector. According to Mr. Agyei, the department is working under a strict timeline to clear the promotion backlog. A cutoff date of October 16 has been established; teachers whose records are successfully verified before this deadline will receive their arrears through a supplementary payment this month. For those whose records are cleared after the October 16 cutoff, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) has confirmed that these payments will be included in the regular November payroll to ensure no eligible staff member is overlooked. The verification process is essential for confirming the new professional grades of the teachers and calculating the exact amounts of arrears due to each individual. Mr. Agyei emphasized that the Ghana Education Service had submitted all required documentation as of October 8, facilitating the current push to finalize the payroll adjustments. This administrative effort aims to ensure that every eligible teacher is correctly captured in the system, thereby preventing further discrepancies in future salary disbursements. This intervention follows a direct instruction from the Minister of Education to prioritize the resolution of outstanding teacher payments. The delay in processing promotion-related arrears has been a primary grievance for teacher unions, contributing to recent strike actions and labor unrest across the country. By establishing a clear timeline for these payments, the government seeks to address these long-standing concerns and restore industrial harmony within the teaching workforce.

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Concerned parent urges government to resolve teachers' grievances

A concerned parent has called on the government to immediately address the grievances of striking teachers, warning that the ongoing industrial action is leaving students in boarding schools idle and unproductive. The appeal highlights the growing frustration among guardians who have made significant financial sacrifices to keep their children in school, only to find them without any form of academic instruction. The parent emphasized that the current situation undermines the efforts of families who have worked hard to provide for their children's education. Speaking on the impact of the strike, the parent described the current atmosphere in schools as "meaningless," pointing out that students are missing out on essential lessons while critical school resources remain underutilized. He noted that the financial burden on families is substantial, covering not just tuition but also significant boarding fees, transport, and other essential supplies. For many parents, seeing their children sit idle after such heavy investment is deeply disheartening and calls into question the value of keeping them on campus during the strike. The parent further criticized the traditional narrative that teachers' rewards should be found in heaven rather than through fair monetary compensation in the present. He argued that teachers are professionals who face the same economic realities as any other worker and therefore deserve tangible rewards for their labor. By ignoring these demands, the parent suggested that the government is effectively jeopardizing the future of students who are caught in the middle of a protracted labor dispute between the state and education unions. In a final plea for action, the parent urged the government to prioritize the resolution of teachers' grievances to restore normalcy to the academic calendar. The call reflects a broader concern that without a swift agreement, the disruption will lead to significant learning losses that could take months to recover. As parents continue to bear the cost of boarding and other services, there is an increasing demand for the government to show leadership and ensure that schools return to their primary function of teaching and learning.

Ho Technical University students place seventh with kidney disease AI
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Ho Technical University students place seventh with kidney disease AI

A six-member team of female engineering students from Ho Technical University (HTU) has secured the seventh position out of 19 competing institutions at a national Women in Engineering competition. Held in Ho, the competition provided a platform for female innovators to showcase technical solutions to real-world problems. The HTU team distinguished themselves by presenting a health-focused technological innovation aimed at improving diagnostic outcomes for chronic conditions. The team’s entry, an AI-powered prototype named NephroScan GH, was designed to address the growing challenge of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Led by Madam Sesinam Kumako, the students developed the software to predict the risk level of CKD by analyzing full blood count (FBC) data. This approach leverages artificial intelligence to interpret standard medical tests, potentially offering a more accessible screening tool for healthcare providers in resource-constrained environments. The achievement highlights the increasing role of artificial intelligence in addressing critical healthcare challenges within Ghana. By placing in the top ten of a competitive field of 19 universities, the HTU team demonstrated the practical application of engineering and computer science in the medical field. The project underscores the importance of fostering female participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and the potential for student-led innovations to contribute to national health security.

ECOM-SMS Ghana launches Agriculture Our Future Clubs in 40 schools
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ECOM-SMS Ghana launches Agriculture Our Future Clubs in 40 schools

Sustainable Management Services (SMS), a subsidiary of ECOM Ghana, has officially launched its "Agriculture Our Future Clubs" initiative across 40 basic schools in 12 districts. This strategic program aims to cultivate a renewed interest in agribusiness and environmental conservation among basic school students. By targeting the youth, the initiative seeks to address a critical demographic challenge: the steadily increasing age of Ghana's agricultural workforce, which currently averages 55 years old, particularly within vital cocoa-growing regions. At the launch event, Emmanuel Baffoe-Bonnie emphasized the urgent need to reshape how the younger generation perceives the agricultural sector. He noted that for too long, farming has been viewed as a back-breaking, low-reward activity rather than a sophisticated and profitable career path. To support this shift, the initiative encourages educators to stop using farm labour as a form of punishment for students, a practice that has historically fostered negative associations with the land and food production. The clubs are designed to provide students with practical, hands-on experience in various facets of the industry, including agribusiness management, entrepreneurship, and modern environmental conservation techniques. These activities are carefully structured to prioritize child protection and safety while demonstrating the economic potential of modern farming. Stakeholders present at the event also raised concerns about the removal of Agricultural Science from the basic school curriculum, arguing that such educational gaps make private sector initiatives like these clubs even more essential for national food security. By fostering a new generation of "agri-preneurs," ECOM-SMS aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of Ghana's agricultural landscape. The initiative has received broad support from local stakeholders who believe that early exposure to the scientific and business aspects of farming is the most effective way to secure the country’s economic future. As the clubs begin operations, the focus will remain on transforming agriculture into a sought-after profession that can provide stable livelihoods for the youth.

Akosua Achiaa Sarpong wins John Mensah Sarbah Award at Call to the Bar
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Akosua Achiaa Sarpong wins John Mensah Sarbah Award at Call to the Bar

Akosua Achiaa Sarpong, an alumna of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Faculty of Law, emerged as the top performer at the 63rd Call to the Bar ceremony. She was honored with the prestigious John Mensah Sarbah Award, which recognizes the student with the best overall performance in the Professional Law Examinations. The award is considered the highest academic distinction a student can achieve during the professional law course at the Ghana School of Law. Beyond the overall top prize, Sarpong demonstrated her technical legal proficiency by also securing the award for Best Student in Civil Procedure. Her recognition at the ceremony distinguishes her as a standout talent among the 2023 legal cohort. The John Mensah Sarbah Award is named after one of Ghana’s most celebrated historical legal figures, and winning it alongside a specialized subject award emphasizes Sarpong's comprehensive understanding of both theoretical law and procedural practice. The 63rd Call to the Bar ceremony serves as the formal induction for qualified candidates into the legal profession in Ghana, allowing them to join the Ghana Bar Association and practice as solicitors and barristers. Sarpong’s success reflects the academic rigor of the KNUST Faculty of Law and sets a high standard for her peers as they enter the legal workforce. Her achievement underscores the importance of academic excellence in strengthening the nation's judicial and legal systems.