The Director of the West African Centre for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture (WACWISA), and Former Pro-Vice Chancellor of University for Development Studies (UDS), Ing.Prof. Felix K. Abagale, has issued a strong call for a radical transformation of Ghana’s education system. He indicated that education must evolve to produce learners who are critical thinkers, digitally fluent, entrepreneurial, and globally conscious.
Ing.Prof. Abagale delivered the keynote address at the 7th Quadrennial (54th) Regional Delegates Conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Tamale. Speaking on the theme “Educating an African Fit for the 21st Century: The Role of Policy Makers and Teacher Unions in Ghana,” he urged stakeholders to move beyond exam-centered learning toward an education model that empowers young Africans to lead with purpose and shape the continent’s future. He noted that “A 21st century-ready African must be a critical thinker, innovative, adaptable, and ethically grounded, able to navigate a digital world while staying rooted in civic responsibility”.
He acknowledged the strides made through policies such as free Senior High School (SHS), Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education initiatives, and the integration of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) across various levels of education in Ghana as well as the Southern African’s teacher development programme and Rwanda ICT in education initiatives. He stressed that real transformation requires more than policy declarations that demands deep, systemic change supported by collaboration among government, unions, and communities.
Noted for his advocacy for holisitic national and regional strategic programming and alignment with continental standards towards achievement of plans set out in Ghana vision 2057, AU Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized the need to integrate the Ghana Vision 2057 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on inclusive and quality education into the Ghana Education Strategic Plan (2018-2030).
Prof. Abagale made a call for teacher unions including GNAT, TEWU, NAGRAT, CCT-GH etc to become active players in shaping education policy and not just advocates for improved working conditions.
“Unions must be seen not just as protectors of welfare, but as co-creators of curriculum, policy, and teaching innovation. When unions lead, reforms are rooted and sustainable,” he noted. The former Pro-Vice Chancellor and Director highlighted urgent need for self-directed learning, problem-solving, digital literacy, global awareness and civic consciousness while proposing a 12-point learner profile for the 21st- century African Student.
Prof. Abagale also highlighted the urgent need for African Countries to:
- Increase investment in teacher training, school infrastructure, and digital access, especially in underserved areas.
- Have a shift from rote learning to inquiry-based, solution-oriented education.
- Decentralise education management to the district level for improved responsiveness and localized decision-making.
“We must create educational environments that develop not only workers, but leaders and innovators for Ghana and Africa,” he said.
The well-attended conference brought together regional and national union leaders and members, Directors of Educationeducators, policy makers, traditional leaders including the Choggu Naa, Kasul Lana, and Nyerizee Naa as well as stakeholders from across the education sector.
Story By
Tony A. Klu
, and Former Pro-Vice Chancellor of University for Development Studies (UDS), Ing.Prof. Felix K. Abagale, has issued a strong call for a radical transformation of Ghana’s education…){kind=link}