The Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Nabdam Constituency, James Tenga, has endorsed the Ghana Education Service’s (GES) decision to prohibit flamboyant gift presentations and related celebrations on school campuses.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr. Tenga described the directive as a timely intervention aimed at addressing growing concerns over student celebrations that he believes could have negative social consequences.
According to him, public displays of expensive gifts and luxury items at school events may appear harmless on the surface but can create unhealthy competition among students and parents. He argued that such acts may leave less privileged students feeling disappointed and could place undue pressure on families to meet unrealistic expectations.
“You and I know these students that we teach. They are uncontrollable. So what would then happen when parents now come and even add up? I don’t know whether it is a show of wealth or what,” he said.
Mr. Tenga further suggested that the desire to keep up with displays of wealth could contribute to broader societal problems, including corruption and other unethical behaviours, as individuals seek ways to attain similar standards of living.
He also questioned the rationale behind extravagant celebrations for students completing Senior High School, noting that graduation from SHS represents only one stage in a student’s educational journey rather than a final achievement that guarantees employment or economic independence.
“Completing SHS doesn’t mean that you are coming into the world or the job market. That is not the case, but it is a matter of you having completed one stage of your life and yet having another stage to proceed to. It is after that that you can now decide to celebrate because, when you are completing and you know, and rest assured that with what I have I am coming to the job market, then for that matter it calls for something. But this one is just senior high school,” he stressed.
Beyond the issue of gift presentations, Mr. Tenga raised concerns about post-examination celebrations and “pens down” activities involving students. He argued that such gatherings have increasingly exposed young people to risks, including road accidents, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and other social challenges.
He recalled incidents in which students reportedly lost their lives in road accidents shortly after completing examinations and suggested that authorities should have acted earlier to address some of the emerging trends among graduating students.
Mr. Tenga maintained that the recent developments did not emerge overnight but evolved gradually through practices that were initially viewed as harmless. He therefore welcomed the GES directive, describing it as a necessary measure to promote discipline, safeguard students and protect families from unnecessary social pressure.
“This ‘pens down’, I personally said we have to do something about it, or else this is taking us somewhere and we may not be able to come out because as they go there to practice and then socialize with their friends, some end up getting pregnant, especially the vulnerable girls, some end up going into drug abuse, and others end up going into so many other social vices.”
“It started somewhere. It didn’t just start today, but social media has just shown us the evidence of it. The evidence just shows that we have been a bit reluctant in reacting to issues of this nature,” he said.
The GES announced the ban after a video circulated on social media showing a parent presenting a vehicle and other gifts to a graduating Senior High School student within a school compound, sparking nationwide debate over the appropriateness of such displays in educational institutions.
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