The Deputy Minister of Education who doubles as Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South Constituency, Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has urged African academicians to harness the power of education to transform the continent’s fortunes. He emphasized that Africa’s vast potentials, opportunities, and resources can only be fully utilized through education.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, Hon. Ntim Fordjour stressed that education is the most potent tool for changing the world. He asserted that despite Africa’s abundant natural resources, it is human capital that will ultimately drive the continent out of poverty and challenges.
Speaking at the 13th Sustainable Education and Development Research Conference at Cape Coast Technical University, Hon. Ntim Fordjour noted that Africa’s youthful population – projected to form 42% of the global youth population by 2030 – presents a significant opportunity for innovation, job creation, and global inventions.
Prof. Kwaku Adutwum Ayim Boakye, Vice Chancellor of Cape Coast Technical University, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing education’s role in driving societal change. He lamented the neglect of indigenous knowledge systems and advocated for their integration into formal education.
Prof. George Mpedi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, likened knowledge to a garden that requires cultivation to yield harvests. He called for systemic shifts in Africa’s educational structures to remain relevant in the global educational landscape.
The conference, themed “Inclusive and Quality Equitable Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities for Researchers,” aimed to explore strategies for harnessing education to drive sustainable development in Africa.
