The Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has reiterated the importance of Ghana having a policy that ensures that all and sundry have access to education to the senior high school level.

According to the Minister, there is currently a disparity in transition rates between the northern and southern regions of Ghana.

Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Dr Adutwum revealed that the Northern Region boasts of the highest transition rate from Junior High School (JHS) to Senior High School (SHS) at an impressive 95%.

He further highlighted the notable transition rates across the northern regions, with Savannah and North East at 94%, Upper East at 92%, and Upper West at 89%.

Dr. Adutwum pointed out that in striking contrast, several regions in the southern parts of the country have transition rates languishing in the 70s.

“If you were to do a league table of transition rates, the five northern regions top the table," he stated.

The Minister expressed concern over the stark disparity emphasising the potential long-term implications.

“As the Minister for Education, if you look at the data, you become concerned because there is a disparity of almost 20% between the Northern Region and a region in the south.

“If this trend continues for the next 20 years, what will happen to that region? There will be a huge gap in economic development, socio-economic transformation, and then you may have to find a way to implement a social intervention."

Dr. Adutwum therefore believed that through the free secondary education bill which will make it compulsory, all children of school going ages will be mandated to go to school.

“So why should we allow it to fester and continue?" he asked, advocating for proactive steps to ensure equitable education opportunities across all regions of Ghana.