Ghanaian education consultant named 2024 Africa Education Medal finalist
Alhaji Mohammed Haroon, a principal education consultant based in Tamale in the Northern Region, has been named among the list of 10 outstanding educationists on the continent, for the 2024 Africa Education Medal, in recognition of their work in transforming education on the continent.
Alhaji Haroon, popularly known as ‘Cambodia’, is a retired educationist with over 30 years of dedicated service, and a subscriber to the UK-funded Transforming, Teaching, Education and Learning (T-TEL) programme being implemented in the country, helping to transform teaching education and learning to deliver quality service for sustainable development.
The other finalists are Taddy Blecher, Julian Hewitt (South Africa); Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye, Hakeem Subair (Nigeria); Nankunda Hope Mwijuka (Uganda); Christopher Khaemba, Ahmed Kura (Kenya) and Angeline Murimirwa (Zimbabwe).
A global jury and expert jury will assess the finalists based on vigorous criteria on their impact, leadership and advocacy in the education field and vote for the three winners in October.
The Africa Education Medal is founded by T4 Education, a global community of educators and HP to honour and celebrate change makers who have made significant impact in education through leadership and advocacy in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The overall winners will be announced during the World Schools Summit in Dubai where 10 finalists each from Asia, Africa and the Caribbean or North America will converge from November 23 to 24, 2024.
Speaking to the Ghanaian Times, Alhaji Haroon said he was excited to have been listed among the 10 finalists Africa Education Medal, Africa’s most prestigious accolade.
He explained that “this competition started in May with my nomination by a British. I was added to the long list. After filling some long forms by the nominees in Asia, The Caribbean or North America and Africa.
“My nomination was for the African Medal. I was then short-listed and taken through a 35 minutes google interview after which 10 achievers had to support me either by video or written recommendations.
Alhaji Harooon is an old student of Navrongo Senior High School (NAVASCO). He also attended University of Cape Coast, and was the Member of Parliament for Choggu/Teshigu Constituency in the Tamale metropolis from 1993- 1997.
Alhaji Haroon has served as Regional Director of Education for the Volta Region and as Regional Director of Education for the Northern Region. Hailing from a tribe in northern Ghana where educational challenges remain, his work is focused on improving teaching and learning in the region.
He now serves as an educational consultant for Rising Academies – a company seeking to create the best schools and the most powerful teaching and learning tools for the people who need them most.
Alhaji Haroon is one of the 15 recognised retired directors of education known for reforming secondary education in Ghana. He works to improve mathematics and literacy through Lively Minds and Rising Academy, with a particular interest in enhancing early education.
He advocates for human rights, especially for girls’ and women’s rights, through the African Diversity Network. In the northern part of Ghana, he opened public schools and two colleges of education.
BY ALHAJI SALIFU ABDUL-RAHAMAN
