The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has ignited a renewed national conversation on the future of education in Ghana, calling for a decisive shift from expanding access to transforming the mindset of learners.
This call was made by renowned diplomat, scholar and statesman, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, during a public lecture delivered at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Addressing a packed audience of students, faculty and distinguished guests, Dr. Chambas challenged Ghana to rethink its educational priorities in line with the demands of a rapidly changing global landscape.
Speaking on the theme, “Empowering Minds, Rethinking Education for Sustainable Development,” he acknowledged Ghana’s progress in improving access to education, including primary school enrolment rates exceeding 90 percent and the implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. However, he cautioned that access alone is not enough.
“Are we expanding education or transforming it?” he asked, warning that an overreliance on rote learning continues to produce graduates unprepared for modern challenges.
Dr. Chambas proposed three key pillars for reform—relevance, resilience, and responsibility—as the foundation for a future-ready education system.
On relevance, he urged a redesign of the national curriculum to reflect local realities, including sustainable agriculture and community-based innovation. He also advocated for the integration of Arts into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), promoting a STEAM approach that nurtures creativity, ethical reasoning and critical thinking.
He further called for a national mindset shift to elevate Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), describing it as critical to building a self-reliant economy. According to him, artisans and technicians must be recognised and celebrated as essential contributors to national development.
Addressing resilience, Dr. Chambas emphasised the need for climate literacy and digital preparedness, noting that education must equip learners to adapt to environmental and technological changes. Drawing from personal experience, he highlighted the economic benefits of adopting solar energy at his residence in Tamale as an example of practical, sustainable solutions.
He also underscored the importance of mental well-being in education, stressing that students cannot thrive or innovate in environments that neglect their psychological health.
In a strong advocacy appeal, Dr. Chambas linked education reform to peace and security across the continent. In his role with the African Union, he noted that quality education can address the root causes of violent conflict by reducing youth vulnerability and expanding economic opportunities.
“We cannot silence the guns nor attain the Sustainable Development Goals without empowering minds,” he stated, referencing the vision of the AU’s Agenda 2063.
He concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders. Government, he said, must sustain investment in teacher professional development, describing educators as the “true agents of change” and “architects of the Ghanaian mind.” Students were also encouraged to take ownership of their learning and actively seek solutions to societal challenges.
The lecture forms part of UEW’s ongoing commitment to fostering critical national dialogue and shaping policies that drive sustainable development.
As Ghana continues to expand access to education, the challenge now lies in ensuring that the system produces not just graduates, but thinkers, innovators and problem-solvers capable of driving the nation’s future.
