The Ministry of Education hosted the top 52 awardees of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for a courtesy call, where government reaffirmed its commitment to improving educational outcomes across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, the Deputy Minister, Clement Abas Apaak, congratulated the students for their outstanding performance and encouraged them to remain focused as they climb the academic ladder.
The Minister, who was unable to attend due to a recent accident, is recovering steadily and extended his warm regards to the students through the Deputy Minister.
Out of the thousands of candidates who sat for the BECE nationwide, 52 students were selected based on exceptional academic performance. The group includes representatives from all 16 regions, students from deprived schools, as well as visually and hearing-impaired students — a reflection of inclusivity and equal opportunity in Ghana’s education system.
The awardees are expected to be officially honoured at a grand ceremony scheduled to be graced by His Excellency the President.
Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, formally presented the students, describing them as “exceptional young achievers” who represent the very best of Ghana’s public education system.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged persistent inequalities within the education sector, particularly in rural and underserved communities where teacher shortages and inadequate infrastructure remain challenges.
He highlighted key government interventions, including the Teacher Diploma Programme and a new incentive policy that offers teachers who accept postings to rural and deprived communities an additional 20 percent of their gross salary. The policy also includes provision of accommodation to make rural postings more attractive.
“These reforms are aimed at ensuring that students in every part of the country have the same opportunity to excel,” he noted.
A major policy highlighted during the engagement was the government’s free sanitary pad distribution programme for girls from upper primary to senior high school.
According to the Deputy Minister, the initiative is designed to eliminate “period poverty,” reduce absenteeism among girls, and boost their confidence and academic performance. He disclosed that over 12 million sanitary pads were distributed last year, with GH¢292 million allocated in the current budget to sustain the programme.
He described the intervention as one of the most life-changing social policies aimed at protecting the dignity and academic continuity of the Ghanaian girl child.
Government is also intensifying efforts to eliminate the phenomenon of “schools under trees,” where communities initiate informal learning structures due to infrastructure deficits.
The Deputy Minister revealed plans to construct 200 kindergarten blocks, 200 primary school blocks, and 200 junior high schools to address the backlog of over 5,000 such schools inherited by the current administration.
While praising the awardees for their academic excellence and good conduct, the Deputy Minister cautioned against misconduct in secondary schools, warning that acts of lawlessness and criminality would attract strict disciplinary and legal consequences.
He urged the students to serve as ambassadors of discipline and positive change in their respective schools.
“Ghana is looking up to you. Don’t let this achievement be the end. Let it be the beginning,” he advised.
The ceremony ended with words of encouragement and pride, as government reaffirmed its determination to provide equal educational opportunities for every Ghanaian child.
