Ahead of the upcoming National Education Forum, STAR-Ghana Foundation has organised a convening in an effort to ensure that Civil Society organizations (CSOs) present a unified voice on key education issues at the National event.
The convening, which was held in Accra on Friday, February 14, 2025 brought together key stakeholders in the education sector to discuss strategies for monitoring government commitments and driving accountability in education service delivery, while serving as a preparatory step towards the government’s planned National Summit on Transforming Ghana’s Education System.
Speaking to the media, Mr Raymond Danso, Portfolio Manager, Right to Services at STAR-Ghana Foundation noted that the meeting was to presents an opportunity for CSOs to engage with policymakers in a more coordinated manner.
Mr Danso, told the press that in the past, CSOs have worked individually, addressing various aspects of education, from financing to teacher development and infrastructure. However, this fragmented approach has often led to diluted impact and a lack of cohesive advocacy.
The convening, according to him is an ideal platform for civil society to synchronize their priorities and present them as a unified front, ensuring that crucial education issues are amplified effectively.
“The forum is a good platform for CSOs to coordinate our efforts, ensuring that the issues we want to amplify are not fragmented,” Mr Danso said.
He added that “We aim to prioritize the key problems in education, reflecting on past solutions, identifying what worked, what didn’t, and offering new alternatives.”
He explained that one of the primary goals for CSOs at the National Education forum would be to influence the government’s education policies, particularly in areas like financing, teacher deployment, and infrastructure development.
He said by presenting a collective perspective on what has been successful in the past and what needs improvement, CSOs are hoping to provide the government with actionable insights for shaping future educational reforms.
“Beyond this meeting , CSOs are committed to tracking the government’s progress on its educational promises, particularly those outlined in the electoral manifesto. The fragmentation of efforts in the past has hindered greater accountability, but by coming together, CSOs aim to provide a more unified approach to monitoring the government’s commitments.
“We are optimistic that this meeting will allow us to present viable solutions to the government,” said Danso. “We are also committed to ensuring that there is continuous accountability, especially around promises made for the education sector.”
Addressing participants, Ms Eunice R. Abgenyadzi, Head of Programmes, STAR- Ghana Foundation, noted the National Education Forum promises to be a critical moment for civil society to influence policy decisions that will shape the future of education in the country.
By: Mohammed Suleman/Publicagenda.news
