Yelizoli Regent Decries Education Crisis in Northern Ghana, Urges Government and Stakeholders to Act

Tatale, June 28, 2025 – The Regent of Yelizoli Traditional Area and CEO of Zaa Multimedia, Chief Alhaji Muhammad Ibn Umar, has issued a heartfelt call for urgent, coordinated action to address the deep-rooted educational crisis in Northern Ghana, particularly in underserved districts like Tatale-Sanguli.

Speaking at an education stakeholders’ forum under the theme “Ensuring Quality Basic Education: The Role of Stakeholders in Tatale-Sanguli,” the traditional leader described the state of basic education as not just a policy challenge, but a moral emergency threatening the future of children and the progress of the region.

“Education is not simply a pathway to employment. It is the foundation of our freedom, the guardian of our dignity, and the golden thread connecting the dreams of one generation to the hopes of the next,” he said.

Chief Alhaji Muhammad highlighted alarming statistics from the 2021 Population and Housing Census, which show that only 41.3% of persons aged six and above in the Northern Region are literate, with illiteracy levels surpassing 80% in some districts such as Karaga and Gushegu.

“Behind these numbers are real stories—children walking for miles to learn, overcrowded classrooms, overstretched teachers, and communities struggling to keep hope alive,” he stressed.

While acknowledging government interventions like FCUBE, Free SHS, and school feeding, the Regent cautioned that these gains must reflect in the learning outcomes of rural basic schools, not just in statistics and political speeches.

He called on district authorities to transform policies into tangible results by investing in infrastructure, empowering teachers, and ensuring fair supervision.

“Let policies not perish on paper. Let them live in textbooks, motivated teachers, and safe school environments. Education is not an expense—it is the most strategic investment in our national future,” he added.

Source: Issifu Alidu Laa-Bandow//zaaghana.com