Dr. Charles Abugre, Managing Director of the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province Partnership in Action (TEPPIA), an NGO and the development wing of the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province of the Catholic Church, has called on Catholic Educators in Ghana to humanize education to develop deep-rooted vocations.
“As Catholic educators, we must first humanize education, that is, to make it a process in which each person can develop his or her own deep-rooted attitudes and vocation and thus contribute to his or her vocation within the community,” he said.
He made the call as the Keynote Speaker at the opening of the 2nd National Catholic Education Forum at Koforidua in Ghana’s Eastern Region on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The five-day Forum is on the theme: “Catholic Education for Integral Development; Shaping a Resilient and an Inclusive Ghana.”
Dr. Abugre said humanizing education meant “putting the person at the centre of education, in a framework of relationships that make up a living community, which is interdependent and bound to a common destiny.”
This, he said, was fraternal humanism, adding that “the product of Catholic education is curious, creative and enquiring, thirsting for knowledge and ideas…”
The opening ceremony was chaired by Dr. Dominic Eddor, was attended by Archbishop Julien Kaboré, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana; the Most Rev. Mathew Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC); Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, Eastern Regional Minister; and Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, Director General of Ghana Education Service who represented the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu.
Also present were the members of GCBC, scores of Priests and Religious, General, Regional, and Local Managers of Catholic Schools, Heads of Catholic Institutions, teachers, and students.
Others were Prof. Michael Boakye-Yiadom, Director General of the Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, and Mr. Martin Wilde, Jacob Adams Foundation, Policy Advisor- Country Representative.
Addressing the participants, Dr. Abugre stated “Education is not about knowing things or taking lessons but about being able to use three lingos: those of the head, the heart, and the hands… learning so that you can think about what you feel and do, can feel what you think and do, and can do what you feel and think. Unity within a person.”
According to him, Catholic education also brings about self-confidence in being able to work with others whilst holding their own throughout life, earn a decent living from their hands and their heads honestly, and above all, be a beacon of peace, honesty, humility, and sacrifice.
Speaking on specific issues of education policy and management in a more forward-looking manner, he addressed specific constituencies such as the stage of development and implication for the mix of education provisioning.
Highlighting the relationship between the government and mission schools, the Keynote Speaker stated, “It is important to emphasize that institutional education of children is most beneficial when it builds on a good family practice.”
“Education is a shared responsibility for after all the purpose of social reproduction of labour and cultures,” he pointed out.
To the Church/Mission and Religious Congregation Leaders, he advised them to “Put more emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) schools in the grammar school system.
Dr. Abugre entreated them to encourage fairs and creative, innovation-driven competitions among schools to promote science and creativity.
“Be as enthusiastic about Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) as we are about grammar schools,” he advised, asking the leadership of the Church to consider collaborating with the Government to introduce technical education into the Catholic University.
TVET is a type of education that teaches practical skills and knowledge for a variety of occupations.
Dr. Abugre indicated that as the second largest owner of TVETs, following the government, the Catholic Church should be appropriately represented in TVET governing bodies – the Service and the Commission.
He called on the Church to think bigger by aiming at Catholic Universities teaching the latest technologies and inspiring the next leap in education training in Ghana.
For the success of sustainability and resilience of Catholic education, he recommended that the Religious Congregations invest in succession planning and added: “Some of the best schools – technical or grammar are run by the Religious.”
To the Education Managers, he admonished them to find a solution to the Growing indiscipline in schools and asked them to find ways to link TVETs with the industry and to the interest industry in TVETs and the serious need for training of trainers.
In a welcome address, the Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Koforidua, and the hostPrelate expressed joy in hosting such an informative and important event.
He mentioned the directive given by the then Minister of Education, Hon. Spio Gabbrah in 1999, on Management and supervision of the schools founded by the missions which have not been made into full operation by any government.
There were goodwill messages from the New Juaben Traditional Council, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Jakob-Christian-Adam Stiftung, and TEPPIA.
By Celestine Edem Gbologah//Newswatchgh.com
