The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says the transformative journey government has taken to provide quality education to all Ghanaian children is because of government’s belief that the opportunity cost of not investing adequately in education is too high.
According to him, when they assumed office, the education sector faced very significant challenges and suffered from a lack of the requisite investment.
“We had many problems that bedeviled the sector, including even the availability of chalk in schools, the availability of textbooks, the three months pay policy for teachers who, after working two to three years, were paid three months’ salary. The cancellation of teacher training allowances, the cancellation of nursing training allowances, inadequacy of the capitation grant, burden of school fees to access Senior High School and TVET education and utility bills for tertiary students”, he said.
He further stressed that “In response to these challenges, our government has embarked on a transformative journey aiming to provide quality education to all Ghanaian children, irrespective of their socioeconomic background. To the extent possible, we are of the view that the cost, the opportunity cost of not investing adequately in education is too high for our country”.
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The Vice President was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 56th National Union of Ghana Students Delegates Congress which was held at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.
Meanwhile, he commended NUGS for their meritorious contributions that has helped shaped the discourse of education in the country.
“Your unwavering determination and passionate advocacy have played a pivotal role in shaping the discourse surrounding education in our nation,” he stressed as he expressed his heartfelt appreciation to NUGS.
He says the commitment and dedication of the leadership of NUGS lead by Dennis Appiah Larbi-Ampofo and the entire body of NUGS to the course of education in Ghana have been truly inspiring.
“You have been at the forefront, engaging us in meaningful conversations for us to rethink collectively about opportunities to make quality education accessible for every young person in Ghana,” he continued to praise them.
The 56th NUGS Residential Delegates Congress which was held at the University of Cape Coast was on the theme, “Prioritizing Investment in Education as a Nation.”
Dr Bawumia believes the theme resonates deeply in the rapidly changing world, where the role of education has never been more vital.
While emphasizing that education is a catalyst to empower individuals, transform societies, and build a prosperous future, he said the NPP government firmly believe that education is the cornerstone of progress and development.
Source: ROSEMOND ASMAH/ATLFMNEWS
