The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and his Deputy Minister, Dr. Clement Apaak, have worked tirelessly since assuming office at the Ministry of Education. Their unwavering dedication has contributed to several notable achievements within the first 120 days of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
To strengthen the educational sector, the Minister and his Deputy have taken steps to protect the workforce under their purview. Mr. Haruna Iddrisu and Dr. Clement Apaak have assured members of Ghana’s academic community that the government’s recent suspension of post-retirement contracts does not apply to them.
This clarification follows a directive from the Presidency, conveyed through a letter signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, announcing the immediate cancellation of post-retirement appointments within the public service.
However, Mr. Iddrisu emphasized that the directive affects only the general public service and not academic institutions.
For a strong collaboration, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, met with the leadership of the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) at the Ministry.
They discussed matters of mutual interest, including the swift resolution of issues to maintain industrial harmony. The Minister expressed his gratitude to the leadership and members of both groups.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education supported President John Dramani Mahama in launching the National Sanitary Pad Distribution Program, aimed at providing free sanitary pads to female students in basic and senior high schools.
The launch event took place at the Salvation Army Cluster of Schools in Mamprobi, Accra, fulfilling a campaign promise made by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). The occasion was chaired by His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse. In March, the Mahama administration allocated GHC292.4 million to fund this impactful social intervention.
Ahead of the launch, Dr. Clement Apaak described the initiative as “historic” during a media engagement. “This has never been done before in our country’s history,” he said. He further noted that following the national launch, regional ministers and district chief executives would host similar events in their jurisdictions to ensure the smooth implementation of the program.
“We have completed all procurement processes. Regional and district directors of education are tasked with overseeing the distribution, monitoring the process, and reporting on progress. We count on the Ghanaian media to serve as watchdogs and support the success of this life-changing initiative,” he added.
Another milestone is the successful integration of the Savanna College of Education into the public college system. This achievement reflects the fruitful collaboration between President Mahama and the Yagbonwura, paving the way for improved access to state resources and institutional support. As a public college, Savanna College of Education is now well-positioned to enhance teacher training and educational development in the region.
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu and Dr. Clement Apaak hosted representatives from Big Win Philanthropy at the Ministry. Their discussions focused on transforming education in Ghana, particularly in the area of early childhood development.
Big Win Philanthropy’s mission aligns with the Ministry’s vision of equipping Ghanaian children with the essential skills for lifelong success. The Minister expressed optimism about the positive impact this collaboration will have on the nation’s education sector.
Furthermore, the government has increased the budgetary allocation for the School Feeding Programme from GH¢1.344 billion to GH¢1.788 billion in 2025, a 33% increase. The School Feeding Programme continues to be a cornerstone of the government’s social intervention agenda, aimed at boosting school enrolment, reducing malnutrition, and supporting local food producers.
This budgetary increase will also raise the feeding cost per meal per child per day from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2.00 a 33.3% rise. The adjustment is expected to enhance both the quality and quantity of meals provided under the program.
Additionally, the government has appropriated GH¢203 million for the payment of teacher trainee allowances, reaffirming its commitment to supporting students in public colleges of education.
