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Low budget, teacher absenteeism, causes of poor performance in basic School.
UNICEF education team and journalists at the event
The decline in budget allocation for Ghana’s basic education sector and high rate of teacher absenteeism have been identified as some of the major causes for the drop in performance of school children at that level of education.
According to a United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) statistics, a significant decline in basic school allocation has been recorded in recent years, explaining that in 2019, 39 per cent of the education budget was allocated to basic education, but that figure dropped to 19.6 per cent in 2024.
This came to light last week Thursday at the third UNICEF Media Café addressed by the Chief of the UNICEF Education team, Ms Christin McConnell.
According to her, about 98 per cent of the current budget allocated to basic education is spent on salaries, leaving little room for resources such as infrastructure, learning materials, and teacher training which she said had directly impacted the quality of education received by children.
Also, she stated that about 11 per cent of teachers are absent from school on any given day across all the levels, contributing to the non-effective learning for almost six years.
Despite these challenges, Ms McConnell noted that there had been significant progress in early childhood education with over 120,000 kindergarten children receiving basic learning materials and health screening as part of an initiative dubbed, ‘My First Day at School.’
She further stated that UNICEF’s differentiated learning programme which aims at providing remedial education to struggling students has also been instrumental in improving quality and early childhood education.
An Education Officer at UNICEF Ghana, Ms Rhoda Enchill speaking on access and inclusion in education disclosed that an estimated 40,000 children with disabilities in Ghana had never attended school.
According to her, the figure underscores the ongoing challenges faced by children with special needs in accessing education, despite government efforts to make school more inclusive.
She mentioned that 1.2 million children aged between four and 17 were still out of school across Ghana, adding that the figure included 623,000 primary school-aged children who are not enrolled.
Ms Enchill said despite the progress made in access to education, foundational learning levels remain low explaining that children were still struggling to read at the grade levels.
She indicated that results from the 2022 National Standard Test (NCT) revealed that only five out of 10 children in grade four could read.
And as part of efforts to standardise and promote inclusivity and sign language in the country, Ghana has developed a harmonised sign language dictionary for deaf teachers and learners.
A sign language dictionary is a resource that provides definitions, illustrations, or video demonstrations of signs used in a specific sign language.
The dictionary, she stated, will serve as a reference for both deaf and hearing individuals to learn and understand the meanings and hand gestures associated with words, phrases, or concepts in sign language.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
The professor who spends his days exploring the intricacies of African languages found himself at the centre of a different kind of lesson on Friday, October 2, 2026. 
This time, there were no lecture notes, academic arguments or university classrooms. Instead, there was the weight of tradition, the rhythm of a community celebration and the solemnity of an oath at a royal palace.
Professor Ọbádélé Kambon, a full Professor of African Linguistics at the University of Ghana, was enstooled as Apagyahene and Sunsum Ɔsahene of Akuapem Mampong in the Eastern Region in a ceremony that brought academia and traditional authority together.
For the professor, the occasion was more than a new title. It was a moment that connected his academic interests in African languages and indigenous knowledge with the living traditions of an Akan community.
The day’s events unfolded through a series of customary observances. Kambon was first taken to the compounds of the Ɔkyeamehene and Gyasehene, where the preparations for his installation continued.
Then came the application of hyire, the white kaolin powder associated with traditional rites.
With the customary proceedings underway, the new chief was lifted onto the shoulders of celebrants and carried along the main thoroughfare of Akuapem Mampong.
The procession transformed the streets into a public stage for a ceremony rooted in the community’s traditional institutions.
There was something striking about the image, a university professor, accustomed to the measured language of academic discourse, being carried through the town in a display of traditional recognition.
Yet the celebration was not complete with the procession.
A ram was sacrificed at the Mamponghene’s compound before Kambon was taken to the palace, to swear the oath associated with his new offices.
The ceremony brought him formally into his roles as Apagyahene and Sunsum Ɔsahene.
Beyond the colourful proceedings, the titles themselves carry layers of historical meaning.
Kambon in his research explores the historical connections between Apagya and Akan political and military organisation.
Accounts cited in his work linked Apagya to an asafo, or military company, while historical writing traces an Apagya stool in Asante to the reign of Opoku Ware I in the eighteenth century.
These historical associations offer a glimpse into the institutions that have shaped Akan society over generations, although they do not automatically define the precise responsibilities of the office in Akuapem Mampong.
Kambon’s own professional life reflects a similar interest in preserving and examining African knowledge.
His work encompasses Akan language structure, naming practices across the Black world, proverbs and indigenous intellectual traditions.
Through Abibitumi, the platform he founded, he also promotes language learning, scholarship and cultural engagement.
But tradition was only one part of the story that day.
When the formal ceremony gave way to a reception, the occasion expanded into a celebration of three milestones: Kambon’s enstoolment, his promotion to full professor and his daughter Ama’s admission to the University of Ghana.
The gathering therefore carried a personal significance that went beyond the honours bestowed on one man. 
It celebrated professional advancement, the continuation of family aspirations and a connection to cultural heritage.
For a father, seeing a daughter gain admission to the same university where he holds a distinguished academic position offered another reason to celebrate.
For the professor, the moment placed family achievement alongside his own professional and traditional milestones.
Kambon had already established a place in the traditional life of Akuapem Mampɔn through an earlier installation as Banmuhene Kyidɔmhene, recorded in 2017.
His latest enstoolment adds another chapter to that relationship.
In Akuapem Mampɔn, the day brought together the university, the palace and the family table in one celebration. And for Kambon, the journey from the lecture room to the traditional procession showed how scholarship, cultural responsibility and family achievement could converge in a single memorable occasion.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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ASOHOM organises fundraising gala to protect Ghana’s water resources, support vulnerable communities
The Association of Spouses of Heads of Missions and International Organisations (ASOHOM) last Friday held the 2026 edition of its annual Charity Gala, at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra under the theme ‘Woven Currents.’
It was attended by members of the diplomatic and international community, distinguished guests, corporate partners, and artists, friends of Ghana and supporters of ASOHOM’s charitable mission.
What was supposed to be a fundraiser turned into a perfect platform to celebrate friendship, culture and creativity.
Water was at the heart of this year’s message, said Sovanna Taliercio President, ASOHOM and Chairperson of its Fundraising Committee.
“Through art, music and live performance, the gala highlighted the vital connection between water, life and our shared future, while drawing attention to the importance of protecting Ghana’s water resources and supporting sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities,” a statement signed by Ms Taliercio said.
The evening featured a remarkable exhibition of Ghanaian contemporary art, live performances, an auction and raffle, alongside an elegant dinner and opportunities for guests to connect and support the cause.
She expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event— sponsors, artists, performers, partners, volunteers, ASOHOM members and, most importantly, every guest who chose to support its cause.
“Our fundraising efforts are ultimately about more than one evening. They are about transforming generosity into tangible support for communities in need. The funds raised through ASOHOM’s charitable initiatives will contribute to projects aligned with our humanitarian priorities and our commitment to supporting meaningful and sustainable development in Ghana,” she said.
She expressed pride at what ASOHOM represents: a community of women and men from across the diplomatic and international community who come together beyond their official roles to build bridges, strengthen partnerships and give back to the country we are privileged to call home.
She said the success of ‘Woven Currents’ was a testament to the power of collaboration, compassion and collective action and reminds that with togetherness, small contributions can create lasting impact.
By Spectator Reporter
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