‘Mindset challenge’ stifling education excellence in Ghana – Dr Awuah

President of Ashesi University, Dr Patrick Awuah, says an active source of the problems facing education in Ghana is what he calls the “mindset challenge” among key stakeholders in the sector.

Speaking on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM, Tuesday, the founder of one the most successful private universities in Ghana admitted that although resource constraints and poor management are known factors that frustrate quality education, the lack of commitment to produce excellent students is often ignored.

He wants teachers, heads of schools, the Ghana Education Service (GES) and teacher training colleges to think beyond their immediate challenges and be motivated by a higher cause to produce excellent students at all levels of education.

“There is a mindset challenge in terms of ‘what is the mindset that we are going into this work with?’ If we go in with the mindset that as many of our students as possible are going to be successful, because we are going to do our best work, then we will have a very different outcome,” he said.

Quality education remains a major problem in Ghana. A recent UNICEF report stated that many Ghanaian students lack quality education.

“Often, the school environment is not conducive to learning: classes are overcrowded, water and sanitation facilities are lacking and trained teachers and school books are in short supply. The poor quality of education is reflected in students’ results. Only 16% of grade six students are proficient in mathematics and only 35% proficient in English, according to the 2011 National Education Assessment,”

Dr Awuah, a multiple award winner for his successful exploits as an engineer, educator and entrepreneur, made the comments when the Super Morning Show hosted Teni Agana, a self-motivated graduate of the Ashesi University.

Teni Agana graduated from the University with honours despite coming from a deprived area in the Upper East Region capital of Bolgatanga.

Teni once worked as a head porter at Kejetia in the Ashanti Region and later as a house help, but a combination of good fortune and hard work landed her a scholarship at Ashesi, where she began and successfully completed her inspiring academic journey.

Narrating her story on the show, Teni revealed that a picture of a lady in a graduation gown and her desire to “change the name of her family” kept her eyes fixed on the prize of academic excellence.

Teni Agana achieved just that when she was awarded the prize for Citizenship, Leadership and Scholarship during her school’s graduation last Saturday.

Dr Awuah, who spoke on the Super Morning Show via telephone said there are many students like Teni in Ghana, and urged educators to be committed to changing the stories of students from deprived communities.

“Educators must focus on bringing out the best in students,” he admonished.