Education Ministry To Amend Law Over Faith-Based Representation On GES Council

Ghana’s Ministry of Education has said it will begin the process of amending the law governing the Ghana Education Service (GES) Council to ensure all recognised faith-based organisations have appropriate representation.

The ministry made the announcement in response to concerns raised by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference over the composition of the GES Council.

Under the Ghana Education Service Act, 1995 (Act 506), three representatives of faith-based organisations are provided for on the GES Council.

However, the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049) provides for only one representative of faith-based organisations.

The ministry said the inconsistency was identified by the GES Council in 2025 and has continued to be a concern until the relevant provision of Act 1049 is amended to provide adequate representation for faith-based institutions involved in education.

The Ministry of Education said it had been engaging stakeholders on the issue and would initiate the necessary legislative process to amend the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020.

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

The ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive and consultative approach to education governance and said it would continue engaging relevant stakeholders to strengthen the education sector.

It acknowledged the role of faith-based educational institutions and their long-standing contribution to education in Ghana.

The ministry further called on the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and other faith-based organisations to work with the government in addressing challenges facing the education sector.

The statement was signed by the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, and dated 27 August 2026.