Ghana News
‘Who Employs You for Sitting in Lectures?’ Renowned Educationist Anis Haffar Slams Ghana’s ‘Archaic’ University System
Renowned educationist Anis Haffar has delivered a blistering critique of Ghana’s university system.
In a recent interview, he described the current education system in Ghana as largely outdated and disconnected from the realities of work and production.
In a wide-ranging interview with veteran journalist Kafui Dey, Haffar attributed a lack of meaningful employment among Ghana’s youth to what they are taught in universities.
“Chale, who will employ you because you’ve been sitting, listening to lectures?” Haffar asked bluntly. “First year, lectures. Second year, lectures. Third year, lectures. Fourth year, lectures. Then they stick a certificate under your armpit and say, ‘go and find a job’.”
For Haffar—an internationally respected trainer of teachers who has worked across Africa, Asia, and Europe—the problem is structural. He argues that many universities in Ghana still operate on a colonial-era model that prioritises theory over application, producing graduates who struggle to answer a basic question from employers: What can you actually do?
His remarks land at a sensitive moment, as Ghana continues to grapple with graduate unemployment, underemployment, and growing frustration among young people who feel failed by the education-to-jobs pipeline.
From Abstraction to Action
Haffar dismissed incremental fixes, such as holiday internships, as insufficient.
“They may be a tentative first step,” he said, “but at the end of the day, we must move from abstractions into the concrete.”
He offered a vivid example from a school training programme where students used chemistry to produce soap. Once the product became real—manufactured, packaged, and sold—chemistry stopped being an abstract subject and became a tool. Some of the students, he noted, went on to explore making toothpaste. Parents bought the soap. Schools bought the soap.
“That,” Haffar said, “is our road to Damascus.”
The point, he stressed, is not to abandon theory, but to anchor it in lived experience:
“At every level, the question must be: what can I do with what I’m studying? If you can’t do anything with it, then think about something else.”
What’s Outside the Classroom Matters
Haffar also criticised classroom practices that ignore immediate learning environments. He recalled observing a lesson on germination where a teacher drew a maize plant on the board—despite a cornfield sitting just outside the classroom.
“Why not go into the field and start there?” he asked.
He likened the approach to the old exam ritual of drawing and labelling a fish on paper—only to later eat kenkey and pepper with an actual fish.
“You have the fish on paper, but the fish is not making sense,” he said. “It’s got to be practical. It’s got to be real.”
Lessons from Asia
Drawing on experiences in Indonesia, Vietnam, and other parts of Southeast Asia, Haffar contrasted Ghana’s import-dependent economy with systems built on local production. In Bali, he described restaurants located next to rice fields. In Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, he recounted eating a full, healthy meal for two—steamed meats, vegetables, drinks—for nine dollars.
“They produce everything,” he said. “No heavy oil. Minimal waste. Affordable food. Meanwhile, we import everything—pay shipping, insurance, interest—and then wonder why a simple restaurant meal is expensive.”
For Haffar, the link between education and production is inseparable. Countries that teach young people to do, not just to memorise, are better positioned to feed themselves, create jobs, and lower the cost of living.
A Provocation, Not Just a Critique
While his comments have sparked debate, Haffar insists his goal is not to dismiss universities outright, but to provoke reform. He argues that education in Ghana—from primary school to university—must start earlier, stay practical, and remain rooted in local realities.
“Start doing something,” he said. “And start early.”
Haffar’s critique raises an uncomfortable but urgent question: Is the classroom preparing students for life—or merely for exams?
Below is the full interview:
Ghana News
Ghana Leads African Central Banks in Gold Reserve Accumulation as Global Buying Wave Hits $2 Billion
Accra, Ghana – Ghana has emerged as one of the most active African central banks in the global gold accumulation surge, joining a broader shift by emerging market nations seeking to diversify reserves and shield economies from currency volatility and geopolitical risks.
According to the latest data, central banks worldwide purchased 27 tonnes of gold in February 2026, valued at approximately $2 billion.
While the bulk of demand continues to come from major players such as China, Poland, Kazakhstan, and Turkey, African central banks are gradually increasing their participation. Ghana stood out last year for aggressively boosting its gold reserves to support the cedi and strengthen its balance sheet amid economic challenges.
The move reflects a deliberate strategy to reduce reliance on traditional foreign currencies and build a more resilient reserve base.
Other African nations are also showing strategic interest. Uganda has launched a domestic gold purchasing programme targeting at least 100 kilograms over four months, while Kenya — despite holding just 0.02 tonnes — has signalled plans for gradual accumulation. Zimbabwe continues experimenting with gold-backed instruments, and the Democratic Republic of Congo aims to formalize 15 tonnes of artisanal gold production in 2026.
These efforts, though still modest compared to global leaders, signal a growing continental recognition of gold’s role as a hedge in uncertain times.
Analysts say this African participation, led by Ghana, aligns with a wider global trend where central banks are treating gold as a strategic asset rather than a relic of the past.
For Ghana, continued accumulation could further stabilise the cedi, enhance macroeconomic credibility, and support the country’s ambition to capture more value from its rich gold resources through strategic reserve management.
Ghana News
LGBTQ Debate Intensifies After Mahama Comments, Moody’s Upgrades Ghana Outlook and Other Big Stories Today
We have curated the most relevant stories from Ghana for your enjoyment and awareness. From renewed calls on the controversial Anti-LGBTQ bill and a significant credit rating upgrade, to traditional leadership disputes and maritime security operations, these developments reflect the key political, economic, and social conversations shaping the country this morning.
It Remains a Priority – Sam George on Anti-LGBTQ Bill
Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George has reaffirmed that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill remains a top priority for him and many Ghanaians. Speaking in a recent interview, the outspoken NDC legislator took a stance that challenges his boss’s (President Mahama), stating that the bill is not a distraction but a necessary piece of legislation to protect Ghanaian cultural and family values. He expressed confidence that the bill would eventually be passed, despite delays, and urged supporters to remain patient while the legislative process is followed. George stated that the bill enjoys broad public support and that he would continue to champion it until it becomes law.
Read the full story here
Rev. Ntim Fordjour Urges Mahama to Issue Directive to Fast-Track Anti-LGBTQ Bill
Deputy Minority Leader Rev. John Ntim Fordjour has called on President John Dramani Mahama to issue a directive to fast-track the passage of the Anti-LGBTQ bill. The NPP MP argued that the legislation reflects the will of the Ghanaian people and should not be allowed to drag on indefinitely. He urged the President to demonstrate leadership by ensuring the bill is prioritised in Parliament, warning that further delays could erode public trust in the government’s commitment to moral and cultural issues.
Read the full story here
President Mahama Nominates Pamela Graham as New Auditor-General
President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Pamela Graham as the new Auditor-General of Ghana. The nomination, which has been forwarded to Parliament for approval, is expected to bring fresh leadership to the country’s supreme audit institution. Graham is widely regarded as a seasoned professional with extensive experience in public financial management and auditing. If confirmed, her appointment will be closely watched as the government continues efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in public finances.
Read the full story here
Etweresohene Stripped of Title, Barred from Ofori Panin Fie Over Alleged Rebellion
The Etweresohene has been stripped of his title and barred from the Ofori Panin Fie (the palace of the Okyenhene) following allegations of rebellion and disloyalty. The traditional council took the decision after what it described as persistent acts of insubordination and attempts to undermine the authority of the Okyenhene. The development has generated significant interest in traditional circles and highlights ongoing tensions within some traditional structures in the Eastern Region.
Read the full story here
Moody’s Upgrades Ghana’s Outlook to Positive, Affirms Caa1 Rating
Global ratings agency Moody’s has upgraded Ghana’s outlook to positive while affirming the country’s long-term issuer rating at Caa1. The upgrade reflects improving fiscal performance, debt management efforts, and signs of economic stabilisation. However, Moody’s cautioned that risks remain, particularly from external shocks such as global fuel price volatility. The positive outlook signals growing confidence in Ghana’s reform trajectory and could improve the country’s access to international capital markets.
Read the full story here
Mahama to Headline The Africa Debate 2026
President John Dramani Mahama has been confirmed as the headline speaker at The Africa Debate 2026, a major continental platform for discussing Africa’s most pressing issues. The event is expected to bring together African leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders to engage on topics ranging from economic transformation to governance and regional integration. Mahama’s selection underscores his growing stature as a key voice on African affairs.
Read the full story here
Navy Seizes Eight Unregistered Boats at New Takoradi
The Ghana Navy has seized eight unregistered boats during a routine patrol at New Takoradi. The operation forms part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal fishing and unregulated maritime activities along Ghana’s coastline. The vessels have been impounded, and investigations are underway to determine the owners and intended use of the boats. The Navy has reiterated its commitment to protecting Ghana’s marine resources and enforcing maritime laws.
Read the full story here
Ghana News
Catholic Bishops Reject Trivialization of LGBTQ+ Debate by Mahama Government: ‘Nations Do Not Live by Bread Alone’
ACCRA – Ghana’s Catholic Bishops have issued a forceful pastoral statement urging citizens and leaders alike to treat the ongoing LGBTQ+ debate with the seriousness it deserves.
In the statement, the Bishops warned against dismissing the issue as a minor national concern.
Released on April 10, 2026, the statement from the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) directly responds to recent remarks by President John Dramani Mahama and Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who, in separate public statements, suggested the matter is not a major national priority.
“No question that touches the structure of human identity, family life, and social continuity can be trivial,” the bishops declared.
Values as the Invisible Architecture of Nations
While acknowledging Ghana’s pressing economic challenges, the Conference rejected any attempt to separate moral questions from national development.
“Nations do not live by bread alone,” the statement reads. “They are sustained also by the invisible architecture of values.”
The bishops called for a balanced approach to the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, urging that it uphold both human dignity and the institution of the family.
Clear Condemnation of Discrimination
In a significant passage, the GCBC firmly condemned all forms of discrimination against individuals regardless of sexual orientation.
“No individual, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, may be subjected to violence, hatred, or unjust discrimination,” the bishops stated.
However, they simultaneously reaffirmed their position on traditional family values, describing the family as a nation’s most efficient social welfare system.
“To affirm dignity does not require the redefinition of marriage,” the bishops added. “To defend marriage does not require hostility.”
Reminder to President Mahama
The Conference reminded President Mahama of his earlier commitment to assent to the bill if duly passed by Parliament.
“Democratic integrity rests… on the fidelity of leaders to their publicly stated commitments,” the bishops noted.
They concluded with a call for calm and respectful engagement across all sectors of society, warning that words can either build a republic of trust or fracture it into suspicion.
The GCBC reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to a national conversation grounded in respect, moral clarity, and the common good.
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