Education Ministry to Amend Law to Ensure Faith-Based Representation on GES Council

The Ministry of Education says it will initiate the necessary legislative process to amend the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049), to ensure adequate representation of recognised faith-based organisations on the Ghana Education Service (GES) Council.

The Ministry said the decision follows concerns raised by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference over its exclusion from the GES Council.

In a statement issued on August 27, 2026, and signed by the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, the Ministry acknowledged the contribution of faith-based educational institutions to the development of education in Ghana.

It 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.

The Ministry said it identified the disparity when constituting the GES Council in 2025 and decided to maintain the existing arrangement until Act 1049 could be amended to provide adequate representation.

According to the Ministry, it has since engaged stakeholders on the issue and will begin the legislative process to amend the law.

The amendment is expected to provide appropriate representation for all recognised faith-based organisations on the GES Council.

The Ministry said it remained committed to an inclusive, consultative and collaborative approach to education governance and would continue to engage relevant stakeholders in strengthening the education sector.

It also acknowledged the contributions of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and other faith-based organisations to education in Ghana.

The Ministry urged the organisations to continue working with the government to address challenges in the education sector while the review of the legislation takes place.

Priscilla Osei-Wusu Nimako, ISD