Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to nationwide play-based early childhood education during a visit by the Duke of Edinburgh to the Presbyterian Women’s College of Education (PWCE) and its model kindergarten in Aburi.
Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, described the visit as a strong endorsement of Ghana’s drive to transform early learning.
He told guests that the Duke’s presence “underscores the deep and enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and Ghana,” adding that it also reflects “our shared commitment to investing in the foundational years of our children.”
Dr. Apaak emphasized that play is the foundation of effective early learning, noting that research consistently demonstrates its impact on literacy, numeracy, curiosity, confidence, and social development.
“Play is the genesis of all structured learning,” he said, stressing that young children learn best when allowed to explore, question, and make sense of their world through interactive experiences.
He explained that Ghana’s policies already prioritise play-based instruction, but the national challenge lies in translating those policies into daily classroom practice. According to him, this requires reorienting teachers away from traditional rote methods.
“We must equip every teacher with the essential skills to transition to dynamic, child-centred instruction,” he noted, describing early grade teachers as “the architects shaping the character and cognitive abilities of the next generation.”
The Deputy Minister highlighted the partnership between PWCE and Sabre Education as a model the government intends to scale nationwide.
He commended the collaboration for strengthening student-teacher preparation, upgrading the skills of teachers already in service, and improving both the learning experiences and emotional well-being of young pupils.
He acknowledged the catalytic role of previous UK government support, noting that it has demonstrated “how international cooperation can deliver transformative, lasting educational impact.”
Dr. Apaak confirmed that the Ministry of Education is committed to expanding the PWCE-Sabre model across the country. “You are setting the gold standard,” he told teachers and partners, describing the initiative as a “monumental, nationwide effort” aimed at ensuring every district benefits from high-quality early childhood pedagogy.
He invited the Duke and other guests to tour the demonstration classrooms to observe the approach in practice, saying the experience would show “how the simple act of play is changing teaching and changing the lives of Ghana’s future leaders.”
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