The Deputy Minister for Education, Hon. Clement Abas Apaak, has called on African nations to strengthen collaboration and take decisive, Africa-led actions to end learning poverty and build resilient education systems by 2035.
He made the call at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Triennale of the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra — the first time Ghana has hosted the continental event. The three-day conference was themed “Strengthening Resilience of Africa’s Education Systems: Advancing Towards Ending Learning Poverty by 2035 with a Well-Educated and Skilled Workforce.”
Hon. Apaak, delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice President, Her Excellency Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, commended ADEA and participating countries for their collective commitment to educational transformation. He expressed deep appreciation to all delegates, international partners, and organizers for the success of the summit.
“Over the past three days, we have deliberated, innovated, and committed to transforming education across our continent,” he said, adding that the discussions focused on digital-driven reforms, data-inspired interventions, domestic fund mobilization, school leadership, and stakeholder collaborations.
He highlighted Ghana’s own progress in educational reform, citing initiatives such as the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), the Student Loan Trust Fund, and the System Change Architecture for Learning Excellence (SCALE) — a collaborative program that has mobilized $40 million from partners including the Jacobs Foundation and UBS Optimus Foundation to enhance foundational learning for over two million children in 15,000 schools.
Hon. Apaak echoed the Vice President’s call for African countries to rely more on domestic resources to drive educational change. “While this may sound challenging, I am convinced that with commitment, we can mobilize sufficient local resources to complement support from our development partners,” he stressed.
He expressed gratitude to the Ministers of Education from across Africa, the African Union, the African Development Bank, and development partners such as UNICEF, UNESCO, the Mastercard Foundation, and the Gates Foundation for their active participation and insights.
The Deputy Minister also praised the Local Organizing Committee, led by Professor K.T. Oduro, for their exceptional work in ensuring the success of the event, and commended the Labadi Beach Hotel management for their hospitality.
“As we depart, let us translate our discussions into tangible actions as national, regional, and continental leaders,” he urged. “The resilience we seek begins with us — as policymakers, educators, funders, and citizens alike. Let the Accra Triennale be the catalyst for the transformation we all desire.”
Hon. Apaak ended his address with a call to carry the spirit of the Triennale beyond Ghana’s borders: “Don’t forget to take something from Ghana with you — to South Africa, to Botswana, to Benin, to Mauritius, and across all sister countries. Let’s walk the talk. Long live Ghana, long live Africa, and long live ADEA.”
