Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has underscored the need to empower adolescents across the country as a key driver of national development.
Delivering the keynote address at the national launch of the Education Plus Initiative at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, Dr. Apaak described the programme as “an integrated and transformative approach that ensures learners are not only in school, but are safe, healthy, informed, supported, and empowered.”
He explained that the initiative brings together education, health, gender equality, youth development, and social protection to create an environment where adolescents—particularly girls—can achieve their full potential.
Highlighting Ghana’s progress in education over the past two decades, Dr. Apaak cited achievements such as gender parity at the basic level, the Free Senior High School policy, and the provision of sanitary pads for girls in schools.
However, he acknowledged that challenges persist. “Transition rates from junior high to senior high school are still lower for girls in some regions. Learning outcomes remain uneven. Social factors such as early marriages, teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, and harmful stereotypes continue to undermine our collective efforts to transform futures through education,” he stated.
Dr. Apaak noted that the Education Plus Initiative is designed to complement Ghana’s Education Strategic Plan and align with the broader national development agenda.
“Most importantly, it reminds us that empowering adolescents requires collaboration across sectors and meaningful engagement with young people themselves,” he added.
He emphasized that empowered adolescents can become agents of change who transform not only their own lives but also those of their families, communities, and the nation.
Calling on stakeholders to take decisive steps after the launch, Dr. Apaak said, “Let us strengthen safe and inclusive school environments, expand access to comprehensive services, and ensure that every girl can complete her education and step confidently into adulthood.”
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to the full implementation of the initiative, saying, “Together, we can translate this initiative from policy into practice and make its promise a lived reality for every adolescent in Ghana.”
The launch of the Education Plus Initiative marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s coordinated efforts to empower adolescents and eliminate barriers to education, especially among young girls.
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