North Tongu MP and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called on stakeholders in Ghana’s education sector to move beyond what he describes as “petty debates” about hair length and religious enforcement, and instead confront deeper systemic issues affecting the country.

Speaking at PRESEC-Legon’s 87th Speech and Prize-Giving Day, Ablakwa argued that public conversations are dominated by discussions on short hair and strict religious doctrines, while the core failures of the education system remain largely unaddressed.

“Instead of focusing on how strict religious doctrines are enforced in our schools and the weird correlation between short hair and disciplined students, it is time to ponder the real issues,” he told the audience.

He questioned why Ghanaian schools continue to produce graduates involved in fraudulent schemes, environmental destruction, and unethical decision-making in public office.

“Why is our educational system producing graduates who criminally create thousands of ghosts to fleece the state when real human beings are looking for jobs?

"Why is our educational system producing graduates who would destroy our environment, pollute our river bodies, and create a public health crisis for the rest of us?” he asked.

Mr Ablakwa, who has previously spoken on education policy, also criticised what he called a growing culture of self-interest among some leaders.

He urged that schools must groom citizens with integrity, national consciousness, and ethical leadership.

“Why is our educational system producing graduates who lack ethical leadership? Why is it producing ludocratic graduates who want so much for themselves and don’t care about the country they lead or the generations coming after them?” he asked, describing these as the “weightier matters” Ghana must confront.

Citing Albert Einstein, he added that “true religion is real living—living with all one’s soul, goodness and righteousness,” implying that moral conduct should take precedence over external appearances.

While his remarks received applause from part of the audience, others criticised his choice of forum, arguing that PRESEC’s event was not the appropriate platform for such commentary. Some contend that schools have legitimate reasons for upholding uniformity and discipline through appearance rules.

Nevertheless, Ablakwa maintained that national conversations on education must evolve beyond surface-level debates.

He emphasised that meaningful reform requires examining the values, curriculum, and institutional culture shaping Ghanaian graduates.

The PRESEC Speech and Prize-Giving Day brought together students, alumni, teachers, and invited dignitaries to celebrate academic excellence and reflect on the school’s contribution to national development.