An Education and Development Consultant has made an impassioned plea to Ghanaians to put aside political differences and support the National Education Forum, describing the initiative as a vital step for the country’s future.

Dr Samuel Awuku speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, stressed the importance of national unity in addressing Ghana’s educational challenges.

“I would beg Ghanaians that there’s a point in our history that we can all say that this is the right time for us to do things like this, and forget about any political ideology which is for destroying us,” he urged.

Dr Awuku lamented the country’s tendency to politicise national issues, warning that such attitudes only hinder progress.

“In a paper I wrote some time ago, I talked about political identity and political beliefs, and how Ghana will be so politicised such that if you make a point it is linked to a political party,” he said.

“We all have to bear that in mind, that there’s a point in time that we all have to roll up our sleeves and say Ghana first.”

Reflecting on his experience in education reform, Dr Awuku recalled an incident from 2017 when he was invited to support the reform of the pre-tertiary curriculum.

He revealed that some individuals accused him of being affiliated with the opposition party, but the then Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, dispelled the allegations.

“He asked them, in the schools, the children there do they wear any political jersey or identity? These are children of Ghana, who need to be developed to have the best chances in life and contribute to national development,” Dr Awuku recounted.

Describing his involvement in the National Education Forum as a chance to make a meaningful impact, he said: “When I had a call to join this committee, I said wow, it’s an opportunity to make a difference.

"People who know me very well, and I know others in the committee, you realise that everybody is committed to making this happen. There is no political affiliation, no political agenda. It is about Ghana.”

Dr Awuku also commended President John Mahama for setting a non-partisan tone at the forum’s launch.

“The President was very clear in his remark at the launch that everybody comes on board. No single person should politicise this. It must be a national agenda,” he noted.

Calling on all stakeholders to put the nation first, Dr Awuku concluded: “The day that we all realise that when it comes to education, there’s nothing like politics, that’s when Ghana will truly move forward.”