By Frank Kwame Abbor, GNA
Ho (V/R), July 30, GNA — Reverend Dr Frank Kofi Agbo, the Founder and Executive Director of Kharistar International Academy, has called for bold and sustained education reforms focused on quality, relevance and innovation to prepare Ghanaian learners for global competitiveness.
He made the call during the Academy’s Fifth Anniversary and Fourth Graduation Ceremony in Ho, held on the theme: “The Quest for Quality and Relevant Education for Development: Ghana in Perspective.”
Rev Dr Agbo said Ghana’s educational progress must move beyond expanding access to ensuring meaningful learning outcomes, practical skills development and the ability of learners to compete in a rapidly changing global environment.
“Nations that lead the world did not start with oil or gold; they started with classrooms,” he said, stressing that education remained the foundation for sustainable national transformation.
Quoting 1 Samuel 7:12, Rev. Dr Agbo expressed gratitude to God for Kharistar International Academy’s achievements over the past five years, saying: “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
He acknowledged the impact of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, which he said had enabled more than 1.6 million students to access secondary education, but noted that challenges including overcrowded classrooms, inadequate infrastructure, funding delays, food shortages and poor boarding facilities threatened its sustainability.
“Access alone is not enough; the deeper crisis confronting Ghana is quality education,” he stated.
Rev Dr Agbo expressed concern about weak literacy and numeracy foundations among some Senior High School entrants, saying many schools still operated under trees or in deteriorating structures.
“We have succeeded in getting children into classrooms, but we have not yet succeeded in ensuring meaningful learning,” he said, adding that poor foundations continued to affect West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) performance and tertiary education outcomes.
On curriculum reforms, he commended the introduction of Ghana’s Competency-Based Curriculum but observed that implementation challenges remained due to inadequate teacher retraining, limited ICT and science laboratories, obsolete equipment and insufficient teaching and learning materials.
He said employers continued to raise concerns about graduates lacking practical skills, digital competence and problem-solving abilities.
“Education must prepare students not merely to pass examinations but to succeed in life and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he stressed.
Rev Dr Agbo welcomed the announcement by Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, on the introduction of Chinese language studies in selected Ghanaian schools, describing it as a strategic move towards preparing students for global opportunities.
However, he questioned the country’s preparedness for the policy, particularly regarding the availability of trained teachers and institutions mandated to develop Chinese language instructors.
He said proficiency in international languages, together with digital literacy and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, would expand employment, business and academic opportunities for young Ghanaians.
“Global competitiveness requires our students to embrace languages, technology and innovation beyond our borders,” he noted.
Highlighting Kharistar International Academy’s contribution to improving education, Rev. Dr Agbo said the institution had invested in ICT, robotics, STEM education, counselling, leadership development, public speaking, project-based learning, continuous teacher development and parental engagement.
He announced plans to establish a modern science laboratory, a state-of-the-art library, a multipurpose auditorium, boarding facilities, Kharistar High School, an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and a College of Education.
“Private institutions must build what they can, with what they have, where they are,” he said.
Rev Dr Agbo further recommended the realignment of Colleges of Education with the Competency-Based Curriculum, appointment of professional educationists to lead the education sector, extension of Senior High School education to four years, a review of the Free SHS model to focus more on day schooling and the enactment of an Education Curriculum Act to protect reforms from frequent political changes.
“Countries such as Finland, Singapore and South Korea succeeded because they perfected one curriculum over time instead of changing it every few years,” he said.
Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, National Executive Director of the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS), commended Kharistar International Academy for promoting quality private education and called for stronger collaboration between government and private institutions.
He cautioned against introducing educational policies without adequate implementation strategies, describing frequent changes in curriculum and learning materials as harmful to national development.
“Coming out with new policies in the education sector without proper implementation is absurd. Managers of education in this country must stop the experimentation when it comes to curriculum design,” he said.
He added that constantly replacing textbooks and learning materials creates confusion among teachers and learners.
Education experts at the ceremony stressed that successful reforms required effective implementation, continuous monitoring, teacher support and adequate resources.
Mr Benjamin Teye Larweh, Deputy Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), said educational policies must be deliberately designed to shape a generation capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
He cautioned against allowing political interests to influence education management, stressing that education remained the foundation for national progress.
“Politics should not play a major role when it comes to our educational institutions because without education nothing better can be achieved,” he said.
The ceremony attracted educationists, traditional leaders, clergy, parents, students and development partners who celebrated Kharistar International Academy’s milestone while reaffirming their commitment to advancing quality, relevant and globally competitive education in Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah