The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that the use of Ghanaian local languages as the medium of instruction is now compulsory in all basic schools nationwide.
Speaking at the launch of the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities initiative in Accra on Friday, October 24, 2025, Hon. Iddrisu said the new directive seeks to improve learning outcomes and ensure that children at the basic level are taught in languages they understand best.
He explained that research consistently shows that children learn faster and grasp concepts better when taught in their mother tongue, adding that starting education solely in English disadvantages many Ghanaian pupils.
“The story is told of a young girl whose teacher was teaching in English at an early stage, and the child struggled to understand. That child was not born into an English family but a proud Ghanaian family. Every Ghanaian child deserves to learn in a language they understand,” the Minister emphasised.
Hon. Iddrisu noted that the Ghana Education Service will enforce the policy strictly to ensure teachers at the basic level use the appropriate Ghanaian language of instruction in their respective localities.
He said the policy aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s broader agenda to promote inclusivity and enhance the quality of education across the country.
“President Mahama is fulfilling his promise of inclusivity and equal opportunity in education. His vision is to make learning meaningful for every Ghanaian child, regardless of background or ability,” he stated.
The Education Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to expanding access to both basic and higher education, stressing that the mother-tongue policy is a key step toward building an equitable and effective education system.
Other GCNews
