Education thin tank, Africa Education Watch (EDUWATCH), has welcomed Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tamale South, to the Education Ministry as sector minister.
Per his swearing-in on Wednesday, January 22 by President John Dramani Mahama, Haruna Iddrisu became the 16th Minister for Education in Ghana’s 4th Republic.
Notably, EDUWATCH observed that he is the first Education Minister hailing from northern Ghana, where educational disparities are particularly significant.
The new Minister for Education has experience as a student leader, government minister, parliamentary leader, and a Member of Parliament. He has spent two decades advocating for social development, including education, in his constituency in northern Ghana.
“Based on these experiences, we trust that Hon. Haruna Iddrisu is knowledgeable about the inequalities in Ghana’s education system, particularly at the basic level, and is familiar with the public sector, public policy, and the public finance system. It is expected that he will use his leadership, experience, and influencing skills to contribute to the reform of the education system and address challenges such as the rural-urban divide in basic education and inadequate financing.
“As the leader of the government’s education re-set agenda, we expect the new Minister for Education to prioritise the core principles of equity in resource allocation, transparency, accountability, spending efficiency, and inclusive policy governance. We are pleased to provide the necessary technical support and collaboration for a successful tenure as Minister for Education,” a statement by EDUWATCH said.
Haruna Iddrisu had also said that his priority is to ensure that every child has access to quality education despite their background.
In a post on his X page after his swearing-in on Wednesday, January 22, he said “I’m honored and humbled to have been sworn in as the Minister for Education.
“I will like to thank everyone who has supported me on this journey. As we move forward, my priority is to ensure that every child has access to quality education, regardless of their background.”
I’m honored and humbled to have been sworn in as the Minister for Education.I will like to thank everyone who has supported me on this journey. As we move forward, my priority is to ensure that every child has access to quality education, regardless of their background. pic.twitter.com/8AsE4E2pfa
— Hon Haruna Iddrisu (@HonHarunaIddri2) January 23, 2025
Mr Iddrisu made his maiden official visit to the Ministry on January 22, 2025, immediately after he was sworn in by President Mahama.
During the visit, he announced that a National Education Conference will be held in the coming weeks.
He said the stakeholders’ forum on education will help determine the current state of education in the country in order to strategise on the way forward.
“This conference will serve as a platform to critically analyze our current education system and propose solutions to address the gaps,” he stated.
“Our aim is to ensure that education in Ghana is reformed to guarantee quality and relevance at all levels,” Mr Iddrisu added.
The Education Minister also reiterated his commitment to supporting President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of making education accessible, relevant, and of high quality.
“Education must be accessible to every Ghanaian, but it must also be relevant and of a standard that prepares our citizens for the challenges of the modern world,” he noted.
The proposed National Education Conference is expected to bring together educators, policymakers, civil society, and other stakeholders to chart a new path for Ghana’s education system.
According to him, one of the first major issues to address is how many Ghanaians have benefitted from the Free SHS program.
“My research indicates that the number stands at no more than 3.9 million students between 2017 and 2023. However, there are public claims and even parliamentary records suggesting 5.1 million beneficiaries. We need to validate this data to ensure clarity and accountability,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of establishing accurate statistics to ensure accountability and informed decision-making.
The Minister clarified that his intention was not to discredit alternative figures but to establish a credible baseline for future discussions and decisions.
“Accurate data is essential for effective policy-making, and I am committed to ensuring that we rely on verified information as we move forward,” he added.
