The Ministry of Education says it will initiate the necessary legislative process to amend the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049), to ensure appropriate representation of recognised faith-based organisations on the Ghana Education Service (GES) Council.
The announcement follows concerns raised by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference over its exclusion from the current GES Council.
In a statement dated August 27, 2026, and signed by Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, the Ministry acknowledged the significant contribution of faith-based educational institutions to the development of education in Ghana.
The Ministry explained that the Ghana Education Service Act, 1995 (Act 506) provided for three representatives of faith-based organisations on the GES Council.
However, the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049) provides for only one representative of faith-based organisations.
According to the Ministry, it identified the discrepancy when the GES Council was being constituted in 2025 and decided to hold on to the process until the relevant legislation could be amended to provide adequate representation for faith-based institutions.
The Ministry said it has been engaging stakeholders as part of efforts to address the issue, particularly in line with the government’s decentralisation policy on education.
It said the proposed amendment would provide for appropriate representation of all recognised faith-based organisations on the GES Council.
“The Ministry remains committed to an inclusive, consultative and collaborative approach to education governance,” the statement said, adding that it would continue engaging relevant stakeholders to strengthen the education sector.
The Ministry also expressed appreciation to the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and other faith-based organisations for their contribution to education in Ghana.
It further called on the faith-based organisations to work with government to address what it described as growing indiscipline in the education sector, while the legislative review is undertaken.
The development comes after the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference raised concerns about its exclusion from the GES Council and called for greater inclusion of faith-based education providers in education policy and decision-making.
By: Bernard Mensah
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