The Government of Ghana has introduced new incentive packages and policy reforms aimed at improving teacher welfare and attracting educators to rural and underserved communities, Deputy Minister for Education Dr. Clement Abas Apaak has said.
Speaking at the Ministerial Session of the Africa Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA) in Gaborone, Botswana, Dr. Apaak said the reforms are part of efforts to strengthen the teaching profession and improve education outcomes nationwide.
He said the government recognises teachers as central to national development and is introducing measures to motivate and retain staff, particularly in deprived areas facing teacher shortages.
Among the interventions is paid study leave and a proposed “Teacher Dabre Programme” to provide accommodation for teachers posted to remote communities.
Dr. Apaak said lack of housing remains a major barrier to rural postings, affecting education delivery in hard-to-reach areas.
“We must continue to make the teacher central in the drive to educate our population,” he said.
He added that some teachers face difficult working conditions, including long travel distances and unsafe routes to school due to poor road networks and river crossings.
“These are serious disincentives for teachers posted to rural communities, and government is determined to address them,” he said.
Dr. Apaak also said government is addressing infrastructure gaps in education while expanding Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education at the basic level.
He said STEM boxes distributed to schools are designed to promote practical, hands-on learning, with content developed by local innovators.
He further outlined social interventions including the distribution of over 12 million sanitary pad packs to schoolgirls last year, with GHS292 million allocated this year to continue the programme.
He also said free tertiary education for persons with disabilities is in place, with plans to expand free education support and assistive devices across all levels of education.
The AFTRA ministerial session brought together education policymakers and stakeholders from across Africa to discuss teacher regulation, professional standards, and education reforms.
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