GBC/NCCE Presidential Debate: Five Presidential Candidates trade ideas on Ghana’s Educational System  


The much-anticipated Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) Presidential Debate took place at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra with the candidates on a late note, an hour and a half behind the scheduled starting time. 

One of the candidates billed to be part of the event, the National Democratic Party’s (NDP) Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, failed to make, leaving five candidates on the stage to battle it out. 

In spite of the initial hitch, the candidates gave a good account of themselves, answering questions from the moderators and reacting to those from their answers and statements from their counterparts. 

On Education, Jacob Osei Yeboah (JOY), the independent candidate, who started it all, said the current educational system did not respond to the needs of the country. 

According to him, “There is the need to set up an education commission to investigate the current challenges and to concentrate more on technical and vocational education. There will also be the need for the introduction of jury practitioners where experienced hands will go back to the schools to assist.” 

Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) agreed with JOY that the system does not prepare the children adequately for the challenges of the 21st century. 

He said, “The constitution talks about Free Compulsory Education but we have failed as a country to do that. Worldwide there is the compulsory aspect which every serious country implements but we have not. We need to get back to the basics and solve that before we can think about empowering them for jobs.” 

President John Mahama, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, admitted that the current system was inherited from the system but there are current reforms underway. “There was a conference put together by industry and academia in order to find out mutual problems and solutions. 

However, the institutions of higher learning are still concentrating on the humanities when indeed industry is looking for engineers. That must be solved.” 

Lawyer Ivor Greenstreet of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) candidate was also of the opinion that it wasn’t meeting the needs of the nation. “About 60 percent of the populace are illiterates. They must acquire the skills needed. It is a complete problem that requires a nonpartisan approach. 


The People’s National Convention’s (PNC) Dr. Edward Mahama advocates the introduction of three major areas of education to transform the sector. Critical thinking from the lower level of education to the highest, counsellors to give students orientation in choice of jobs and a portfolio of scholarships to support them since he was a beneficiary of government scholarship. “I see graduates looking for employment and when you ask them of what they want to do, they say, ‘anything’.... This must change." 

In general, all the candidates agreed the current educational system was not meeting the needs of the nation and there is the need for reforms. 

However, President Mahama was of the view that reforms were already in place to link up education with industrial needs.

The debate which is supported by Star Ghana and its partners, was moderated by Mr. Dan Afari Yeboah of “What Do You Know Fame” and Mrs. Selikem Acolatse Apaloo of GBC. 


Monitored by Ruth Abla Adjorlolo.

GBC