Ghana and The Gambia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening education systems and public sector reforms through enhanced bilateral cooperation. This follows a high-level engagement between Ghana’s Ministry of Education and a delegation from The Gambia’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
The Gambian delegation, led by Minister for Basic and Secondary Education Dr. Habibatou Drammeh, visited Ghana to study its education governance. The team also explored Ghana’s workforce management, digital transformation, accountability systems, and evidence-based policymaking. This visit aims to inform The Gambia’s ongoing Public Administration Modernization for Citizen-Centric Service Delivery Project.
This initiative aligns with Ghana’s broader efforts to improve public services and human capital development. Such knowledge-sharing missions support regional integration and south-south cooperation in critical sectors. Ghana’s data-driven approach to education reforms has positioned it as a learning hub for neighboring countries. Prior instances of regional collaboration include shared energy infrastructure projects and trade agreements.
Ghana’s Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, welcomed the delegation and highlighted Ghana's commitment to free education from kindergarten through university. He also outlined the country's education governance structure. This structure is led by the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES), which oversees basic and secondary education.
A major focus of Minister Iddrisu's presentation was Ghana's renewed emphasis on foundational education. He stressed that strong literacy and numeracy skills at the basic level are crucial for the entire education system's success. While recent significant investments went into secondary education, the government is now prioritizing early childhood and basic education. This ensures a stronger foundation for learning across the country.
Minister Iddrisu also revealed Ghana is reviewing its curriculum to adapt to current global trends. Plans include introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI), coding, robotics, financial literacy, and collaborative learning into schools. These updates aim to equip Ghanaian students with skills necessary for the modern economy.
During their engagements with the Ghana Education Service, the Gambian delegation praised Ghana's School Report Card initiative. They also commended its digital data systems. These systems track teacher attendance, school performance, infrastructure conditions, and learning outcomes effectively. Dr. Drammeh described these systems as powerful tools for improving accountability and informing policy decisions in education.
Dr. Drammeh proposed establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two ministries. This MoU would facilitate the continuous exchange of best practices, technical expertise, and policy innovations. Such a formal agreement would solidify the partnership and ensure ongoing collaboration. It would also create a structured pathway for future shared initiatives and learnings.
Both nations expressed optimism that this visit would initiate a stronger and more structured partnership. This reinforces African-led solutions to educational challenges. It also advances quality education for learners in both Ghana and The Gambia. This collaboration could lead to improved educational outcomes and better prepared workforces in both countries.