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.

St. Augustine’s, WASS, and Wesley Girls Among Top Schools Advancing to 2026 National Investment Quiz Semi-Finals
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St. Augustine’s, WASS, and Wesley Girls Among Top Schools Advancing to 2026 National Investment Quiz Semi-Finals

The 2026 National Investment Quiz (NIQ) has reached a fever pitch as six premier Senior High Schools have secured their places in the semi-finals following a series of high-stakes quarter-final contests at the University of Ghana. Leading the pack with the highest score recorded thus far is St. Augustine’s College, which amassing 56 points to dominate its round. Joining them in the next stage are Prempeh College, West Africa Senior High School (WASS), St. Louis Senior High School, Corpus Christi School, and Wesley Girls’ High School. The competition, now in its eighth edition, is designed to cultivate financial literacy and investment culture among Ghana’s youth through rigorous testing and practical simulations. In the most recent quarter-final matchups, West Africa SHS emerged as a formidable contender, topping the third contest with 50 points, while St. Louis SHS followed with 32 points to secure the second qualifying spot. Their victory came at the expense of Our Lady of Mercy SHS and E.P.C. Mawuko Girls, who finished with 29 and 15 points, respectively. Earlier, St. Augustine’s College’s 56-point performance saw them outpace Prempeh College’s 46 points, though both schools comfortably advanced past Kumasi High School and Adisadel College. In the opening quarter-final, Corpus Christi claimed the top spot with 45 points, narrowly leading Wesley Girls’ High School, which scored 42 points. Organized by the Young Investors Network (YIN) in strategic partnership with the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), the Central Securities Depository, and Joy Business, the NIQ evaluates students on their grasp of complex investment concepts, market operations, and financial management. Beyond theoretical knowledge, the 2026 edition incorporates practical components such as simulated trading and investment advisory exercises. This approach ensures that the 20 participating schools are not just competing for trophies, but are gaining the necessary tools to navigate the modern financial landscape. Participants are vying for prizes including investment accounts, educational grants, and mentorship opportunities from leading financial institutions. As the remaining quarter-final rounds conclude to finalize the semi-final lineup, the focus shifts toward the grand finale scheduled for October 2, 2026, at the University of Ghana. The organizers emphasize that the competition serves a broader national purpose: bridging the financial literacy gap in Ghana. By engaging students in topics like capital markets and money management today, the Young Investors Network and its partners aim to foster a new generation of informed investors capable of contributing to the country's economic growth and personal wealth creation.

Ghanaian Teacher Unions Extend Strike as Government Struggles to Process Promotion Arrears
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Ghanaian Teacher Unions Extend Strike as Government Struggles to Process Promotion Arrears

Public pre-tertiary education across Ghana remains at a standstill as the three primary teacher unions—the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG)—have rejected government appeals to end their nationwide strike. The industrial action, which began on September 25, has left thousands of students unsupervised in major metropolitan areas including Accra, Kumasi, and the Eastern Region. Despite high-level meetings with Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, union leaders maintain that they will not return to the classroom until their demands regarding promotion arrears and salary placements are visibly reflected in their bank accounts and payslips, dismissing verbal assurances as "promises upon promises." At the heart of the dispute is a significant administrative bottleneck between the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD). While the CAGD has confirmed the processing of salary adjustments for 6,079 newly promoted teachers, this represents only a fraction of the 58,620 cases expected. The department clarified that the delay is primarily due to missing documentation from the GES, which is required to validate the master list of promoted staff. Beyond promotion arrears, the unions are demanding the immediate implementation of a new Collective Agreement to replace the one that expired in June, as well as the payment of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Allowance typically settled in September. In response to the escalating crisis, Minister Haruna Iddrisu has directed the Director-General of the GES to submit all outstanding data on promoted teachers by the end of the week to facilitate payments in the October salary cycle. The government has also proposed a 20% Deprived Area Allowance for teachers in rural sectors, though this is not slated for implementation until January 2027, following a validation exercise by a joint committee. These measures have so far failed to placate union leadership. NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba and GNAT’s Head of Salaries Isaac Baah have criticized the government for a lack of seriousness, particularly regarding the stalled negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), which are now scheduled to resume on October 6. The strike has drawn sharp criticism from political and social observers. Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, a member of the Parliamentary Education Committee, has urged the government to prioritize the GH"5c2 billion owed to educators over infrastructure projects like the Accra–Kumasi Expressway. Meanwhile, students in affected regions have appealed to both the government and teachers to find common ground, citing fears that the prolonged closure of schools will jeopardize their upcoming end-of-term examinations. As the deadlock continues, the unions remain firm: the strike will only be suspended once documented evidence of payment and formal timelines for the Collective Agreement are provided.

Management and students of the College have called for urgent infrastructure development to promote effective teching and learning .
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Nkanchina Nursing College Appeals for Infrastructure Support to Secure Diploma Accreditation

Six years after its inception, the College of Community Health Nursing-Nkanchina in the Kpandai District of the Northern Region continues to operate under dire conditions, stalling its transition into a diploma-awarding institution. Despite its critical mission to train healthcare professionals for Ghana’s most underserved rural areas, the college remains tethered to outdated infrastructure originally intended for leprosy treatment. This stagnation highlights the growing gap between the demand for trained medical personnel and the facilities provided to educate them. The institution currently accommodates over 500 students, yet it lacks the fundamental facilities required for modern medical education. Management reports significant hurdles including a severe shortage of classrooms, unstable electricity, and non-existent internet connectivity, which are essential for academic research and administrative functions. Furthermore, transportation challenges persist, complicating the movement of staff and students within the district and limiting their ability to reach remote communities for field training. These infrastructural deficits have directly impacted the college’s academic progression. While the institution seeks to introduce diploma programmes to better equip its graduates for the complexities of modern nursing, accreditation has been delayed because the current facilities do not meet the standards set by national regulatory bodies. The college management has expressed frustration that the very institution designed to bolster rural healthcare is being held back by a lack of basic state investment, forcing students to learn in an environment that was never intended for academic use. As the college enters its seventh year, the management is urgently calling on the government and relevant stakeholders to prioritize the construction of purpose-built academic and residential blocks. Addressing these needs is seen as a vital step toward improving healthcare delivery in the Northern Region. Without immediate intervention to improve connectivity and infrastructure, the college risks falling further behind, potentially hampering the national goal of achieving universal health coverage in rural Ghana.

Ghana to Host High-Level West African Conference on Sustaining Education During Emergencies
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Ghana to Host High-Level West African Conference on Sustaining Education During Emergencies

Ghana's capital, Accra, is preparing to welcome education leaders, researchers, and international partners for the second West African High-Level Conference on Scaling Education Initiatives in Emergencies. Scheduled for September 29 and 30, 2026, this pivotal gathering aims to address the critical challenge of maintaining educational continuity for children during times of crisis. The conference serves as a strategic platform for regional stakeholders to share expertise and develop robust frameworks that ensure schooling remains uninterrupted by unforeseen national or global disruptions. Highlighting the urgency of the meeting, Ghana’s Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, emphasized the lasting impact of previous crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed significant vulnerabilities in education systems across the sub-region. Minister Iddrisu called on participants to critically examine and discuss effective interventions that have been tested in various contexts. He noted that the lessons learned from the pandemic must be institutionalized to create more resilient academic structures that can withstand future shocks, whether they are health-related, environmental, or security-driven. Beyond immediate crisis response, the conference will focus on the necessity of deep regional cooperation to strengthen education systems. By fostering a collaborative environment, West African nations aim to synchronize their efforts and resources, creating a unified front to protect the right to education. The discussions are expected to produce actionable strategies for scaling up successful localized initiatives into broader regional policies. As the hosting nation, Ghana reinforces its commitment to leadership in educational reform and regional stability, setting the stage for a collective approach to securing the future of the next generation in the face of uncertainty.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu Announces National Policy to Integrate Ghanaian Sign Language into Schools
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Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu Announces National Policy to Integrate Ghanaian Sign Language into Schools

The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Education, is set to develop a comprehensive and sustainable policy for the formal integration of Ghanaian Sign Language (GSL) into the national education system. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu announced the initiative, emphasizing that the policy will recognize GSL not merely as a communication tool for the hearing impaired, but as a vital language for self-expression, identity, and societal participation. This move follows strategic dialogues aimed at enhancing multilingual inclusive education and ensuring that deaf learners are provided with the necessary linguistic foundation to succeed academically. Central to the new policy is the standardization and documentation of GSL, with a specific focus on developing technical and scientific terminology to facilitate advanced learning. The government plans to produce specialized teaching materials and establish clear sign language competencies within the teacher education framework. To ensure high standards of instruction, the initiative will include robust programs for training and certifying sign language teachers and interpreters, effectively embedding specialized support within the broader educational infrastructure. Minister Iddrisu highlighted that the success of this policy should be measured by tangible learning outcomes and literacy levels rather than just student enrollment figures. By advocating for a bilingual approach that incorporates GSL alongside spoken and written languages, the government aims to improve the quality of education for deaf students. The policy also intends to implement accessible assessment practices, ensuring that examinations and evaluations are designed to accurately reflect the academic capabilities of students who communicate through sign language. This development aligns Ghana’s educational policies with international legal commitments regarding the rights of persons with disabilities and inclusive education. By formalizing GSL within schools, the government seeks to remove barriers to participation and provide deaf learners with the tools necessary for lifelong learning. The initiative represents a significant step toward a more equitable education system that respects linguistic diversity and fosters the full potential of every Ghanaian student.

Six Senior High Schools Advance to Quarter-Finals of the 2026 National Investment Quiz
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Six Senior High Schools Advance to Quarter-Finals of the 2026 National Investment Quiz

Six Senior High Schools (SHS) have successfully secured their places in the quarter-finals of the 2026 National Investment Quiz after a series of high-stakes preliminary contests. The qualifying institutions, which include Our Lady of Mercy Senior High School (OLAMS), Aggrey Memorial A.M.E. Zion SHS, Mfantsipim School, Wesley Girls’ High School, Apam SHS, and St. John’s Grammar School, demonstrated exceptional knowledge in financial matters to advance. These schools emerged from a competitive field, showcasing the growing interest and proficiency in financial literacy among Ghanaian second-cycle students. The preliminary stage was marked by intense academic rivalry across three main contests. In Contest 1, Aggrey Memorial A.M.E. Zion SHS clinched the top spot with 45 points, narrowly edging out Our Lady of Mercy SHS, which finished with 44 points, and Adisadel College, which scored 43.5 points. Mfantsipim School delivered the most dominant performance of the round in Contest 2, achieving the highest overall score of 59 points. This feat saw them qualify alongside Wesley Girls’ High School, which secured 44 points. The third contest was won by St. John’s Grammar School with 34 points, with Apam SHS also booking their quarter-final berth after scoring 32 points. Beyond the competition for trophies, the National Investment Quiz serves a critical educational purpose by equipping students with essential skills in savings, investment strategies, and general financial management. As these six qualifiers progress, the stakes are set to rise significantly in the upcoming quarter-finals. They will now face eight formidable seeded schools, including traditional powerhouses such as Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), Legon, and St. Augustine’s College. This next phase of the competition is expected to further deepen the participants' understanding of the financial sector while fostering a culture of investment among the youth.

A formal gala dinner for the Old Schools Alumni Networking event held in a decorated ballroom. Guests are seated at round tables with white linens facing a stage where a speaker stands at a podium in front of a large digital screen displaying numerous school crests.
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PRESEC Alumni President Ernest Ofori Sarpong Honoured as 2026 Old Schools Alumni President of the Year

Mr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, the Global President of the Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC) Alumni Association, has been named the 'Old Schools Alumni President of the Year 2026.' The honour was conferred during the inaugural Old Schools Alumni Networking Gala Dinner, an event organized by the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana. Mr. Sarpong was celebrated for his dedicated leadership and significant contributions to both his alumni association and his alma mater, positioning him as a leading figure in educational philanthropy in Ghana.\n\nIn addition to the top individual award, Mr. Sarpong also received the 'Old Schools Alumni Project of the Year' award. This second honour was specifically for his instrumental role in the construction of a new 600-bed dormitory at PRESEC, Legon. The facility, named Ofori Sarpong House, represents a major infrastructure boost for the school, addressing student accommodation needs while setting a high standard for alumni-led developmental projects across the country.\n\nThe gala dinner also served as a platform to recognize other institutional and individual excellence within the Ghanaian alumni landscape. Notably, Mfantsipim School was awarded the 'Old Schools Alumni Legacy Boys’ School of the Year,' highlighting a long-standing tradition of excellence. Throughout the evening, speakers emphasized that alumni associations are more than social clubs; they are vital pillars of support that provide mentorship, career guidance, and community service essential for enhancing educational outcomes.\n\nLooking forward, the event underscored the critical role that alumni networks play in bridging the gap between successful professionals and current students. By fostering these relationships, associations are expected to enhance career development and long-term success for the next generation of Ghanaians. The recognition of leaders like Mr. Sarpong aims to inspire a new wave of alumni-led philanthropy and active engagement in supporting the nation's educational infrastructure.

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Educationist Aaron Feron-Fenuku Urges Teacher Reflection Following Zero Pass Rates in 15 Volta Region SHSs

Educationist Aaron Feron-Fenuku has issued a stern call for teachers and school administrators to reassess their professional commitments following an alarming report on academic performance in the Volta Region. According to recent data from the Ghana Education Service (GES), at least 15 Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the region recorded zero qualification rates in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). This shocking outcome has prompted a broader discussion on the efficacy of the current educational delivery system and the specific roles of frontline educators in ensuring student success. Speaking on the back of these findings, Feron-Fenuku emphasized that the path to improving SHS performance begins with an honest self-assessment by teachers regarding their core responsibilities. He highlighted that effective teaching is predicated on thorough preparation, punctuality, and a consistent system for monitoring student progress. By reflecting on these fundamental pillars, educators can better identify where gaps in the learning process occur and implement the necessary interventions to prevent the total failure of entire cohorts of students. Beyond individual teacher accountability, the educationist pointed to a wider systemic crisis involving school management and student attitudes. He noted that school heads bear a significant burden of responsibility for supervising teaching practices and ensuring that a conducive learning environment is maintained. Furthermore, Feron-Fenuku criticized a growing culture among students that favors shortcuts over genuine learning, warning that a reliance on examination malpractices and "trial-and-error" approaches to academic achievement is detrimental to the nation’s human resource development. To address these challenges, Feron-Fenuku called for a unified front involving all stakeholders, including parents and community leaders. He argued that restoring a culture of discipline and academic integrity requires more than just administrative changes; it necessitates a collective shift in priorities toward genuine knowledge acquisition. As the Ghana Education Service and regional authorities review the 2026 WASSCE performance, the educationist’s remarks serve as a reminder that the restoration of academic excellence in the Volta Region depends on the renewed dedication of those at the helm of the classroom.

Controller and Accountant-General's Department Processes Promotion Payments for 6,079 Teachers Amid Nationwide Strike
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Controller and Accountant-General's Department Processes Promotion Payments for 6,079 Teachers Amid Nationwide Strike

The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) has confirmed the processing and payment of 6,079 teacher promotion cases, including applicable arrears, in an effort to address labor unrest within the education sector. These payments, which were reflected in the September 2026 salary cycle, include arrears backdated to January 1, 2026. The announcement comes as teacher unions, including the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG), declared or threatened strike actions over prolonged delays in salary placements and unpaid arrears for promoted staff. While the processing of these cases marks progress, a significant gap remains between the number of teachers paid and the total number of promotions. The CAGD revealed that it has only received 6,079 completed cases from the Ghana Education Service (GES) out of an anticipated total of 58,620 cases. The department clarified that the payroll administration process relies on a dual-platform system involving the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) and the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Database 2 (IPPD2). According to the CAGD, the GES is responsible for initiating promotions and providing the necessary documentation to trigger salary adjustments. The department emphasized that the primary cause for the outstanding payments is a lack of valid documentation from the GES, such as signed promotion forms and official letters. The CAGD maintained that these documents are essential for validation to ensure the legitimacy of payments and to prevent unauthorized adjustments to the government payroll. As of late September 2026, many cases remain pending because they lack the required paperwork for the CAGD to finalize the transactions. To resolve the standoff and ensure the remaining 52,541 teachers are correctly placed on their new salary scales, the CAGD has called for increased collaboration among stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and the GES. A framework established during a meeting on August 31 was intended to streamline the submission of the full list of promoted teachers. The CAGD has assured all legitimate claimants that their payments will be handled promptly once the GES submits the necessary documentation, urging unions to remain cooperative as the administrative hurdles are cleared.

A man in a blue pinstripe suit speaks passionately during a press conference surrounded by numerous microphones from various Ghanaian media outlets. The scene includes a glimpse of the Ghana national flag in the background and a watermark for the Ministry of Education, Republic of Ghana.
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Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu to Meet Striking Teacher Unions Over Unpaid Arrears and Conditions

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has scheduled an emergency meeting with the leadership of Ghana’s three primary pre-tertiary teacher unions for Monday, September 28, 2026. This high-level intervention follows the declaration of a nationwide strike on September 25 by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG). The industrial action was triggered by what the unions describe as a persistent failure by the government to fulfill commitments regarding teacher welfare and administrative professionalization. At the heart of the dispute are several unresolved financial and administrative grievances, most notably the non-payment of promotion arrears and the delayed implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance. The unions are also demanding the immediate conclusion of negotiations for a new Collective Agreement and the automatic placement of teachers who recently passed promotion examinations onto their correct salary scales. NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba has indicated that while the unions remain open to dialogue, they require a genuine resolution to these long-standing issues before considering a suspension of the strike, which has already begun to affect school operations across the country. The Ministry of Education, through Press Secretary Hasmin Mohammed, has expressed deep concern over the strike's potential to disrupt the academic calendar, which only recently resumed in September. To facilitate a comprehensive resolution, the upcoming meeting will include representatives from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department. The Ministry has emphasized its commitment to restoring normalcy for students and has urged the unions to prioritize the interests of learners while negotiations continue. Adding to the urgency, the Minority Caucus in Parliament has linked the growing dissatisfaction among teachers to broader systemic failures in the education sector, specifically citing the mass failure in the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The caucus warned that demotivated teachers are unable to provide the quality instruction necessary for student success, asserting that the nation risks losing its future if teacher conditions are not prioritized. The outcome of Monday's meeting is expected to be a critical turning point for the academic year and the broader stability of the education sector under the current administration.

Her entire life reduced to being the wife” — Tochi warns against early marriage
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Tochi Okechukwu Urges Young Women to Prioritize Education and Self-Discovery Over Early Marriage

Tochi Okechukwu, a former Big Brother Naija housemate, has sparked a significant conversation on social media regarding the impact of early marriage on the personal development of young women. In a recent public statement, Okechukwu advised young women to prioritize their personal growth, identity discovery, and education before considering domestic life. He cautioned that rushing into marriage prematurely can lead to a loss of individual ambition, effectively reducing a woman's entire identity to her role as a spouse before she has had the opportunity to realize her full potential.\n\nIn a detailed post shared via Instagram, Tochi emphasized the critical importance of self-discovery and the pursuit of independence. He warned that when women settle down too early, they often sacrifice their personal goals and a sense of self-governance. According to the media personality, the transition into marriage should be approached with significant deliberation and careful timing, ensuring that women have the emotional and professional foundation necessary to navigate marriage without losing their aspirations.\n\nCentral to his message is the call for women to focus on education and financial self-sufficiency as primary objectives. He suggested that the phrase "reduced to being the wife" represents a common consequence for those who enter unions without first establishing their own career paths or academic achievements. By advocating for a "self-first" approach during early adulthood, Okechukwu highlights a shifting cultural perspective where independence is seen as a prerequisite for a healthy, balanced partnership.\n\nThis advocacy reflects broader social discussions in the region regarding the empowerment of women and the socioeconomic benefits of delayed marriage. Tochi’s stance serves as a reminder of the importance of individual autonomy in the face of traditional societal pressures. As public figures continue to influence lifestyle choices, his message reinforces the idea that women are better equipped for life’s challenges when they have first invested in their own education and self-development.

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Ghana Education Service Warns SHS Heads Against Collection of Unauthorized Fees and PTA Dues

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a stern warning to the heads of second-cycle institutions across the country, ordering an immediate halt to the collection of unauthorized fees from parents and guardians. This directive comes as first-year Senior High School (SHS) and Senior High Technical School (SHTS) students began reporting for the 2026 academic year on September 18. The GES management emphasized that these illegal collections directly contradict the government's free senior high school policy, which aims to eliminate financial barriers to secondary education for all Ghanaian children. According to the GES, school heads must not compel parents to pay admission fees or Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) dues as a condition for enrollment. The Service specifically highlighted that the mandatory collection of PTA dues is currently under judicial review, making any requirement for payment legally sensitive at this time. The GES management expressed concern that such unauthorized practices undermine the transparency and accessibility of the placement process, which this year saw 87.3% of qualified candidates successfully assigned to their respective schools. In a move to ensure accountability and relief for affected families, the GES has instructed all school heads who have already collected unapproved fees to refund them to parents immediately. The Service has warned that non-compliant officials will face administrative sanctions. By enforcing these regulations, the Ghana Education Service aims to protect the integrity of the national education policy and ensure that the transition into SHS remains a purely academic milestone rather than a financial burden for Ghanaian households.