Invest equally in girls’ and boys’ education – Dr. Apaak to parents and guardians

The Deputy Minister for Education, Clement Abas Apaak, has urged parents and the nation to invest equally in girls’ education.

He cited the performance of female students in Ghana’s 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) as a clear example.

Speaking at the 70th anniversary celebration of Wesley Grammar School, Dr. Apaak revealed that the top three performers in the 2025 WASSCE in Ghana were all female.

“Only a few days ago, I had the privilege of representing the minister at the WAEC awards for the best-performing students across the country for the 2025 WASSCE. The top three performers in the 2025 WASSCE in the Republic of Ghana are all female. They are all girls,” he said.

He noted that this achievement should serve as a wake-up call to those who still do not think it is a good investment equally as we invest in our sons.

Dr. Apaak also highlighted the leadership of girls within Wesley Grammar School, pointing out that female students hold key positions in the cadet corps and that the current head prefect is a girl.

“The presence of females in the cadet course leadership and the fact that our head prefect is a female underscores the importance of the need for Ghana as a nation state and indeed parents to invest equally in the girl child,” he said.

Turning to the school’s educational philosophy, Dr. Apaak praised Wesley Grammar for its holistic Methodist approach, which nurtures not only academic skills but also moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social development.

“For 70 years, your institution has faithfully embodied this philosophy. The school has produced students of discipline, integrity, responsibility, and leadership,” he stated.

He also addressed the growing role of technology in education, noting that modern learning is no longer confined to the classroom. Students now have access to global information resources, digital learning platforms, and collaborative tools that connect them to ideas and opportunities beyond national borders.

Dr. Apaak said the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Education, is integrating technology into teaching and learning. Efforts include investments in ICT infrastructure, digital platforms, teacher training, and STEM education to equip students with skills for the 21st century.

However, he emphasised that the success of education transformation requires collective effort. Teachers must embrace continuous learning and develop digital competencies to guide students effectively. Students, on their part, should use technology responsibly as a tool for discovery, creativity, and problem-solving. Parents, alumni, and the private sector also have crucial roles to play.

“The remarkable achievements of Wesley Grammar alumni across many sectors place them in a unique position to support the continued growth of their alma mater,” Dr. Apaak said, while also commending the Methodist Church Ghana for its longstanding commitment to education and moral formation.

The week-long 70th anniversary celebration, held from March 7 to March 15, 2026, is being used to highlight the school’s achievements over seven decades and its key development needs, including the completion of a 12-unit classroom block and the construction of a modern assembly hall to enhance teaching and learning.