Ghana’s education system is failing where it matters most — in shaping values and integrity, not haircuts or dress codes. That’s the strong message North Tongu MP and former Deputy Education Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, delivered during PRESEC-Legon’s 87th Speech and Prize-Giving Day. His remarks quickly turned heads, as he urged the nation to stop obsessing over what he called “petty distractions” and start tackling the real structural problems in education.
At the event, Ablakwa lamented how national debates often orbit around topics like students’ hair length or compulsory religious practices. Meanwhile, the root causes of poor educational outcomes — fragile values, outdated curricula, and weak leadership preparation — receive little to no attention. “Instead of worrying about whether a student’s short hair means discipline or devoutness,” he said, “we should be questioning why our schools are failing to produce morally upright and ethical citizens.”
The MP didn’t stop there. He questioned why, despite Ghana’s investment in education, the country still sees graduates who engage in fraud, environmental degradation, and corruption in public offices. “Why do we have graduates who invent ghost names on payrolls to steal from the state? Why do some of them ruin rivers and forests for short-term gain, leaving a national health and environmental crisis for the rest of us?” Ablakwa asked pointedly — sparking murmurs of both agreement and discomfort among attendees.
And here’s where his comments stirred controversy. Some applauded his courage for naming uncomfortable truths. Others, however, felt that PRESEC’s celebratory event wasn’t the right platform for such “political sermons.” Defenders of strict grooming policies also argued these rules instill discipline and uniformity — principles many educators still consider core to school identity. But Ablakwa countered that discipline must begin internally, through moral integrity, not external appearances.
He went further to call out what he described as a “culture of self-interest” among emerging leaders — a pattern he believes reflects the moral shortcomings of the school system. “We are grooming graduates who chase personal gain without thought for the nation or future generations,” he said. “That’s the heavier issue we must deal with.”
To emphasize his point, Ablakwa cited Albert Einstein’s observation that “true religion is real living — living with one’s soul, goodness, and righteousness.” For him, this quote underscores that moral behavior is more meaningful than ritual compliance or physical appearance. In other words, wearing a particular hairstyle or observing school traditions means little if ethical conduct is neglected.
He concluded by urging a deeper rethinking of Ghana’s education system — one that goes beyond surface-level rules and tackles the holistic growth of students. Meaningful reform, he argued, requires looking at the values students are taught, the relevance of the curriculum, and how school culture shapes graduates’ sense of civic duty and empathy.
The PRESEC-Legon celebration itself brought together students, teachers, alumni, and dignitaries to honor academic achievement and the school’s role in national development. Yet Ablakwa used the platform to remind Ghanaians that true excellence goes beyond grades — it hinges on the kind of citizens schools produce.
But here’s the question: Do appearance-based rules really nurture discipline, or do they distract from education’s moral purpose? Should Ghana’s schools prioritize conformity or character? Share your thoughts — because this is one debate that truly affects the nation’s future.