Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has called for a deliberate alignment of Ghana’s education system with opportunity, stressing that learning must prepare young people for work, entrepreneurship, and national development.
He made the call in Accra on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, while addressing participants at the Diaspora District Global Education Conference.
According to Dr. Apaak, an education system that does not offer clear pathways after graduation leaves young people vulnerable and uncertain about their future.
“Education must be intentionally connected to opportunity, to workforce development, to entrepreneurship, to industry, to policy, and to the real lives young people are expected to build after graduation,” he said.
He explained that achieving this vision requires strong and coordinated partnerships among key stakeholders, including educators, industry, government, and the diaspora.
“Educators shape minds and potential. Industry understands skills, markets, and the future of work. Government sets vision and creates conditions for scale. And the diaspora brings global perspective, experience across systems, and bridges to opportunity,” Dr. Apaak stated.
The Deputy Minister warned that when these forces operate in isolation, students are left to struggle with the transition from school to employment.
“When these forces operate separately, young people are left to navigate the gap alone. When they work together, that gap becomes a bridge,” he noted.
Dr. Apaak stressed that the solution is not to overburden teachers but to support them through meaningful partnerships and system redesign.
“That is the call before us. Not to ask educators to do more alone, but to surround education with the partnerships it deserves,” he said, adding that education systems must be redesigned to reflect modern realities.
He called for the creation of practical learning ecosystems where skills translate into livelihoods and education prepares students beyond examinations.
Addressing teachers directly, Dr. Apaak emphasized their central role in shaping reforms, urging that their insights and experiences must inform policy decisions.
He also challenged the private sector and development partners to view education as a strategic investment rather than charity.
“The future workforce is not being built somewhere else. It is being built in classrooms right now,” he said.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Accra
