By Ashiadey Dotse
President John Dramani Mahama has apologized to the Christian Council of Ghana and the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference for the delay in inviting them to the National Education Forum in Ho.
The two Christian groups had earlier expressed disappointment in a statement, saying they were left out of important discussions on Ghana’s education system. The forum, which started on Tuesday, February 18, in the Volta Region, brings together key stakeholders to discuss policies and reforms in education.
Speaking at the event’s launch, President Mahama admitted the mistake and assured religious leaders of the government’s commitment to including all stakeholders in national education discussions.
“I sincerely apologize on behalf of the planning committee for the delay in inviting our faith-based organizations to this forum,” he said. He explained that the issue was quickly corrected but still needed an apology.
“The mistake was fixed immediately, but you still deserve a full apology,” he added.
President Mahama also acknowledged the important role religious organizations play in education and hoped for their understanding.
“You are the messengers of God’s mercy, so I believe you have forgiven us. You are key stakeholders because you own some of the schools, and this forum is meant to bring everyone together,” he noted.
The National Education Forum gathers education experts, policymakers, civil society groups, and religious leaders to discuss ways to improve Ghana’s education system. Key topics include curriculum development, teacher training, infrastructure challenges, and the role of faith-based institutions.
Despite the initial mistake, the involvement of religious organizations is expected to add valuable contributions to the discussions, given their long history of supporting quality education in Ghana.
