ADEA 2025: Dr. Apaak urges stakeholders to move from dialogue to action

Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Clement Apaak, has pledged Ghana’s commitment to strengthening domestic funding for education to boost learning outcomes and support the continent’s long-term development goals.

Speaking at the closing of the 2025 ADEA Triennale in Accra, Dr. Apaak reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to leading Africa’s education transformation through sustainable, locally driven financing models.

“The time has come for Africa to rely more on her own resources to solve her problems,” Dr. Apaak said, echoing the call of Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.

“While this may sound challenging, I am convinced that with commitment, we can mobilize sufficient domestic resources to significantly augment support from our development partners.”

Dr. Apaak emphasized that the three-day conference, held from October 29 to 31 at the Labadi Beach Hotel, provided a platform for governments, policymakers, and development partners to discuss strategies for resilient education systems capable of withstanding fiscal and social challenges.

He cited Ghana’s System Change Architecture for Learning Excellence (SCALE) initiative as an example of how public-private partnerships can drive educational change.

“Through the support of philanthropic and industry partners, including the Jacobs Foundation, Fondation Botnar, and UBS Optimus Foundation, the SCALE initiative has raised USD 40 million to enhance learning outcomes for over two million Ghanaian children,” he revealed.

Dr. Apaak said such initiatives complement national interventions like the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and the Student Loan Trust Fund, both of which play key roles in sustaining education financing.

He commended the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) and its partners, including the African Union, African Development Bank, UNESCO, and UNICEF, for their continued support to the continent’s education agenda.

“As we conclude this Triennale, I urge all stakeholders to move from dialogue to action,” he said. “The transformation we seek will only be achieved if we commit to implementing the strategies we have shared here in Accra.”

The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) is a pan-African organization that brings together African education ministries, development partners, and key stakeholders to promote quality, inclusive, and relevant education across the continent.

Founded in 1988 by the World Bank in collaboration with African governments and development agencies, ADEA has evolved into a network and platform for policy dialogue, partnership, and knowledge sharing on education and training issues in Africa.

ADEA’s main purpose is to strengthen education systems in Africa so they can effectively respond to the continent’s socio-economic development needs.