#blog4Dev

AS A CITIZEN, WHAT SHOULD GHANA FOCUS ON TO ACHIEVE ITS DEVELPOMENT GOALS IN THE NEXT 60 YEARS?

When I first read this question, I wondered where the other countries that gained independence around the same times as Ghana stood now after 60 years. Are they still called developing countries? Our elders say that water that stays too long in a pot stinks and that is why Ghana must focus on education to achieve development by 2077. Ghana pushed the Universal Primary Education goal in the MDG’s so much that FCUBE (Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education) became a household name. Afterwards the SDG’s set out by the United Nations in 2015 also had Quality Education as one of the goals. These two global goals had education as one of the focus. 

A number of people would agree with me that our educational system needs to be reviewed. The syllabus that has been in existence since the 90’s cannot propel us into development. We cannot expect different results if we do things the old way. The modules and tutors must be strategically put in place with the kind of 2077 we have in mind. A speaker in a Ted Ex video said, “our educational system is outdated, built in the 1900’s for the industrial age” however our educational systems have not adjusted to the current trend. Quality education for our young ones must be given all the attention it deserves even from the basic level.

Ghana is lacking in the infusion of technology in the classroom. Some private schools in the capital have started to introduce technology in tutelage but what about our children in the public schools? I am a product of public basic school, popularly called cyto, and I can bet there are some brilliant students in the public schools that can become the next Professor Alloteys if they are exposed to the same technology as their peers around the globe.When the constant rise of unemployment is juxtaposed with the growing use of technology, it could be concluded that it won’t be long before there is little need for human capital. 

The recent lay off by Ecobank Ghana of about 120 of its employees because of its agenda to become a digital bank is clear evidence. Technology will definitely be an ish in 2077 and Ghana will be wise to inculcate technology into the educational structures.

Lastly, education in Ghana must build a leadership culture into the students from as young as lower primary, teaching them to see problems and opportunities. Dr. Patrick Awuah the founder of Ashesi University said something at the recent World Innovation Summit that struck a nerve in me. He had noticed that leadership was one of the areas the country suffered from when it came to progress and that was why he started Ashesi to solve the leadership problem. Students in the public universities are however deprived of this kind of system. Leadership in Education ought to be intentional.

Ghana has the potential to be the star of Africa. A focus on education will bring us to that envious place. 

God bless Ghana! 

Obed Mawutoh Amu

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