The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has raised concerns over the government’s handling of its partnership with the Catholic Church in the education sector, citing non-compliance with existing agreements.
Speaking at the National Education Forum in Ho on February 19, 2025, the Vice President of the Conference, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, criticized the lack of consultation in key decisions affecting Catholic schools, including appointments, transfers, and the management of school properties.
“The non-compliance by some politicians and government appointees with the partnership that exists between the government and the Catholic Church in the provision of education in the country poses serious worries to us,” he stated.
He further lamented the exclusion of mission representatives from the Ghana Education Council, a move that he said undermines the contributions of religious institutions to the country’s education system.
The Bishop also highlighted the adverse effects of overpopulation in second-cycle schools, stressing that it has negatively impacted character formation, teacher-student ratios, and supervision. Additionally, he expressed concerns about the increasing use of Catholic school compounds for structural developments without prior engagement with the Church.
The National Education Forum, themed “Transforming Education for a Sustainable Future,” brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving Ghana’s education system. The forum follows a government-led initiative, spearheaded by President John Dramani Mahama, to analyze the current education structure and make recommendations for reform.
The Catholic Church, which has historically played a crucial role in Ghana’s education system, has reiterated its commitment to quality education but insists that its identity and principles must be upheld in Catholic schools.
Bishop Fianu called for respect for the longstanding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Church and the government, urging authorities to engage religious institutions in decisions that impact faith-based schools.
