The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has raised concerns over the removal of its representative from the Ghana Education Service (GES) Council, saying the decision has weakened the Church’s participation in important education discussions.
The Conference said its exclusion is particularly worrying because the Catholic Church remains one of the country’s largest providers of formal education and has played a major role in developing Ghana’s education system over the years.
President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, expressed the concerns during a meeting with Parliament’s Chieftaincy, Culture and Religious Affairs Committee.
According to him, the Church’s absence from the GES Council has limited its ability to contribute to decisions that directly affect the education sector.
He questioned why an institution with such a long history and significant contribution to education would not be represented on a body responsible for advising on key matters within the sector.
Most Rev. Gyamfi also linked the issue to growing concerns about indiscipline and immoral behaviour among some Senior High School students.
He argued that the Catholic Church has considerable experience in promoting discipline, moral values and responsible behaviour among young people. He therefore believes its contribution could help address some of the challenges facing schools.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference maintained that it is difficult to expect meaningful solutions to indiscipline in schools when organisations with strong experience in moral formation are excluded from key decision-making platforms.
The Conference is consequently calling for greater inclusion of faith-based organisations that provide education in policy discussions and decision-making processes.
It believes their involvement would bring additional experience and perspectives to efforts aimed at improving discipline, moral education and the overall quality of Ghana’s education system.
