MOE MOVES TO ENSURE FAITH-BASED REPRESENTATION ON GES COUNCIL

The Ministry of Education has announced plans to initiate the necessary legislative process to amend the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049), to ensure appropriate representation of recognised faith-based organisations on the Ghana Education Service (GES) Council.

The announcement follows concerns raised by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference over its exclusion from the current GES Council.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Clement Apaak, the Ministry acknowledged the significant role faith-based organisations have played in the development of education in Ghana.

The Ministry explained that the Ghana Education Service Act, 1995 (Act 506) provided for three representatives of faith-based organisations on the GES Council. However, this was reduced to one representation under the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049).

According to the Ministry, when constituting the GES Council in 2025, it identified the inadequate representation of faith-based organisations as an anomaly and decided to hold on to the constitution of the Council pending an amendment to Act 1049.

The Ministry said it had been engaging relevant stakeholders as part of the government's decentralisation policy on education.

It stated that the proposed amendment will provide for appropriate representation of all recognised faith-based organisations on the GES Council.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive, consultative and collaborative approach to education governance and said it would continue engaging stakeholders to strengthen the education sector.

It also expressed appreciation to the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and other faith-based organisations for their contribution to education in Ghana.

The Ministry further called on faith-based organisations to join government efforts to address growing concerns about indiscipline in the education sector while the legislative review was undertaken.

BY REBECCA TETTEH