Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu says he was not surprised by his appointment, describing it as a deliberate decision by President John Dramani Mahama to reset Ghana’s struggling education sector.
Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Bernard Avle, Mr Iddrisu said he was confident the President had widely consulted before assigning him to the ministry, which he described as one of government’s most challenging portfolios.
He said Ghana’s education system faces deep-rooted problems across all levels, from kindergarten to tertiary education, requiring bold reforms and decisive leadership.
Mr Iddrisu said his focus would be on reviewing and reforming the sector to produce graduates equipped with 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, analytical ability and practical competence, rather than rote knowledge.
“These are skills that will allow Ghanaians to contribute meaningfully to national development and global affairs,” he said.
The minister described education as a uniquely demanding responsibility, noting that decisions taken by the ministry affect every household.
Asked to compare the role with previous portfolios in Communications and Trade, Mr Iddrisu said Education was significantly larger, citing the sheer number of agencies under its supervision.