The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) and the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) have both expressed their disappointment in the government following their exclusion from the ongoing National Education Forum at Ho in the Volta Region.
According to the two bodies, even though they recognised that the list of invitees to the national level stakeholder included some organisations that were affiliated to them, they as the parent bodies were excluded from the forum.
A statement issued in Accra yesterday and jointly signed by the President, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew K. Gyamfi and the Chairman, Christian Council of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr Hilliard Dela Dogbe, said their exclusion from such an important forum undermined the collaborative spirit that was essential for educational policy or reforms.
“As key stakeholders in the educational sector, particularly in the provision of quality education through our schools, we are perplexed by the omission of our contributions to discussions that are pivotal to the future of education in Ghana,” it said.
The statement said both the GCBC and CCG had a long-standing commitment to the development and welfare of the educational system, and had consistently worked to ensure that their educational institutions served the needs of every Ghanaian child, irrespective of their background or beliefs.
“The national discourse on education requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including religious bodies, educators, and parents, whose input can guide the formation of policies that align with the values, traditions, and aspirations of the people of Ghana.
We believe that the absence of the GCBC and CCG at this forum is a disservice to the broader educational community and to the ideals of inclusivity and shared responsibility in national development,” it emphasised.
The statement called on the government to reconsider the exclusion and quickly extend invitation to the two bodies as important stakeholders.
“We call on the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Education to reconsider this exclusion and extend an invitation to the GCBC, CCG, and other relevant bodies to ensure that this forum reflects a truly inclusive dialogue on the future of education in our country,” it buttressed.
Furthermore, the statement said it was the firm belief of the two bodies that only through genuine consultation and partnership that the country could achieve the holistic educational reform that was so desperately needed.
“The GCBC and CCG remain committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure that Ghana’s education system is not only of high quality but also inclusive, equitable, and in line with the moral and spiritual well-being of our society. We stand ready to engage in constructive dialogue for the betterment of education in Ghana,” it said.
BY TIMES REPORTER
