The Nyimdee Kosehene, Nana Kwesi Essel Okyeahene of the Gomoa Assin Traditional Area, has thrown his support behind the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, over the use of local dialects as a medium of instruction in Ghanaian schools, while calling for a major reform of the country’s education system to make it more practical and skills-driven.
Nana Kwesi Essel Okyeahene, who doubles as Gyasehene of Gomoa Wassa in the Gomoa West District, said Ghana’s education system has moved beyond the stage where learners should be assessed mainly on their ability to speak English without practical application of knowledge.
According to him, the current system places too much emphasis on theory and rote memorisation, producing students who can speak and write English but lack the practical skills needed to solve real-life problems.
Speaking to Oyerepa News Reporter, Nana Ansah, during the Carols Day celebration of Onua Francis International School, Nana Kwesi Essel, I stressed the need for urgent reforms that will focus on hands-on learning and problem-solving.
“It is no longer enough to teach only theory. We need an education system that equips learners with practical skills to solve problems in our communities and the country as a whole, not one that only turns them into English speakers and writers,” he stated.
The traditional leader further explained that teaching in local dialects enhances understanding, especially at the foundational level, and helps learners grasp concepts better before transitioning to other languages.
He added that Ghana must move from a mere culture of understanding to a culture of application, where education empowers learners to innovate, create, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Meanwhile, the Headmaster of Onua Francis International School, Mr Enoch Dampson, used the occasion to advise parents to plan their finances carefully during the festive season to enable them to pay their children’s school fees when schools resume after Christmas.
He emphasised that timely payment of fees helps school authorities maintain quality teaching and provide the needed resources for effective learning.
The Carols Day celebration brought together parents, teachers, students, and traditional leaders, highlighting the growing call for reforms in Ghana’s education system to meet modern societal needs.
Oyerepafmonline.com / Nana Ansah Mathew
