Private schools across Ghana will continue to organise graduation ceremonies despite the Ghana Education Service’s (GES) directive banning such events, the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) has said.
GNACOPS National Executive Director, Enoch Gyetuah, argued that the GES does not have the legal authority to regulate private schools, insisting that such institutions are outside the Service’s administrative control.
His comments follow a directive from the Greater Accra Regional Directorate of the GES suspending graduation ceremonies, prom nights and similar events in both public and private schools.
Mr Gyetuah, however, maintained that the directive does not apply to private schools.
He acknowledged that the GES introduced the measure to promote discipline, protect children and reduce the financial burden such events place on parents and guardians.
On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Mr Gyetuah said private schools have continued to hold their graduation ceremonies peacefully and in line with guidelines issued by GNACOPS.
“As we speak now, private schools are ongoing, celebrating their graduation ceremonies in a harmonious environment and in accordance with directives issued by the council for the private schools,” he said.
He explained that the Ghana Education Service is not the institution legally responsible for regulating the entire education sector.
“The Ghana Education Service, as we speak now, is not the administrative body that regulates the entire education in Ghana based on law,” he stated.
According to him, the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049) redefined the responsibilities of education institutions and limited the GES mainly to implementing policies within the public school system.
“It’s not like we are going to defy it. It’s like they don’t have the mandate,” he said. “You don’t extend your mandates to areas where you don’t have jurisdiction to control.”
Mr Gyetuah disclosed that GNACOPS responded to the Ministry of Education shortly after the directive was announced but has yet to receive any further communication or clarification.
“We have shared our response to the ministry, and from 3rd July to date, we have not received any counter or further clarification from the ministry,” he said.
He added that private schools are following the council’s own guidelines, which require consultation with parents and place emphasis on student welfare, safeguarding and accountability.
“As I’m talking to you now, last week private schools had their graduation; this week they are going to have [them],” he said. “We are doing so in accordance with the directives that we have given to them.”
Mr Gyetuah also criticised what he described as the GES exceeding its legal powers.
“When you do that, it’s a situation of abuse of power,” he said. “And we will not allow you to be able to do that.”
The Ghana Education Service has maintained that the ban is aimed at promoting discipline, protecting children and preventing families from facing unnecessary financial pressure.
