Education System in Ghana
EDUCATION IN GHANA
1.0. INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Republic of Ghana is located in West Africa which borders Côte d 'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. The word Ghana means "Warrior King" and derives from the Ghana Empire.
Ghana was inhabited in pre-colonial times by a number of ancient predominantly Akan Kingdoms, including the Akwamu on the eastern coast, the inland Ashanti Empire and various Fante and, also non Akan states like the Ga and Ewe along the coast and inland. Trade with European states flourished after contact with the Portuguese in the 15th century, and the British established a Crown colony, Gold Coast, in 1874.
The Gold Coast achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1957, becoming the first African nation to do so and the name Ghana was chosen for the new nation to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana, which once extended throughout much of West Africa. Ghana is a member of many international organizations including the Commonwealth of Nations, the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and the United Nations. Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa in the world and is also home to Lake Volta, the largest artificial lake in the world. Formal education in Ghana preceded colonization.
The first schools were established by European merchants and missionaries. During the colonial period, a formal state education structure was modeled on the British system. This system has been through a series of reforms since Ghana gained independence in 1957. The first national government headed by Nkrumah, accelerated plans for education. With legislation, he made primary education free and compulsory. Before this time, most of the schools belonged to religious bodies or communities themselves and parents paid for school. Government took over the managing of schools. Ghana’s education system is highly centralized. The ministry
1.0. INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Republic of Ghana is located in West Africa which borders Côte d 'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. The word Ghana means "Warrior King" and derives from the Ghana Empire.
Ghana was inhabited in pre-colonial times by a number of ancient predominantly Akan Kingdoms, including the Akwamu on the eastern coast, the inland Ashanti Empire and various Fante and, also non Akan states like the Ga and Ewe along the coast and inland. Trade with European states flourished after contact with the Portuguese in the 15th century, and the British established a Crown colony, Gold Coast, in 1874.
The Gold Coast achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1957, becoming the first African nation to do so and the name Ghana was chosen for the new nation to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana, which once extended throughout much of West Africa. Ghana is a member of many international organizations including the Commonwealth of Nations, the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and the United Nations. Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa in the world and is also home to Lake Volta, the largest artificial lake in the world. Formal education in Ghana preceded colonization.
The first schools were established by European merchants and missionaries. During the colonial period, a formal state education structure was modeled on the British system. This system has been through a series of reforms since Ghana gained independence in 1957. The first national government headed by Nkrumah, accelerated plans for education. With legislation, he made primary education free and compulsory. Before this time, most of the schools belonged to religious bodies or communities themselves and parents paid for school. Government took over the managing of schools. Ghana’s education system is highly centralized. The ministry
References: Apter, David. (1963): Ghana in Transition. New York: Princeton University Press. Daniel N. Sifuna (1971): Development of Education in Kenya ‘’The Experience”, Nairobi: English Press Ltd. George, Betty Stein. (1976): Education in Ghana. Washington DC: United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Graham, C.K (1971): The History of Education in Ghana. London: Franc Cass & Co. Ltd. www.ghanaweb.com