President John Dramani Mahama has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to restore Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) to their rightful role in the governance of secondary schools across the country. His directive, made during a meeting with the Teachers’ Fund of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) at the Jubilee House, seeks to strengthen school-community partnerships and ensure accountability in school management.
Mahama described the sidelining of PTAs in recent years as a major setback to participatory governance in education. He emphasized that parents must have a seat at the table when decisions are being made about the schools their children attend.
“Give communities a say in how their schools are run. That’s why I felt very scandalized when PTAs were virtually shoved aside and not allowed to be a part of the running of our schools, especially at the secondary level,” Mahama said.
“I believe that PTA participation must be fully restored so that they work with teachers and the administration of the schools to make sure that the schools are run properly and that our children are getting a good outcome in terms of teaching them,” he added.
Over the past few years, PTAs have been excluded or limited in the administration of many public second-cycle institutions following educational reforms, including the implementation of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy. While the aim was to centralize control and reduce the financial burden on parents, critics argue that it also reduced community engagement and transparency in school operations.
The absence of active PTAs, according to education stakeholders, has created gaps in school supervision, resource mobilization, and problem-solving at the local level.
Mahama’s renewed push for PTA reinstatement is part of what some analysts see as a broader reset in his educational agenda. Since returning to office, the President has made clear his intention to review the Free SHS programme, improve its efficiency, and introduce reforms that encourage accountability and performance at all levels.
Economic analyst and policy consultant Kwame Pianim praised the President’s posture, noting that this direction shows a “determination to leave a legacy for successive governments.”
The meeting also highlighted the role of the Teachers’ Fund, which currently manages a portfolio exceeding GH₵4 billion, including investments in Avianz Cargo and other sectors. Fund representatives stressed the importance of government partnerships in helping teachers achieve long-term growth and welfare.
Mahama acknowledged the strides made by GNAT and emphasized the need for a synergistic relationship between government, teachers, and parents to improve educational outcomes.
If the GES acts on Mahama’s directive, PTAs could once again take an active role in areas such as:
School budgeting and fundraising
Monitoring teacher and student performance
Infrastructure support and project supervision
Promoting discipline and parental engagement
This move has already drawn support from many teachers, educationists, and civil society organizations who believe strong PTA structures are essential to sustainable school development.
As Ghana’s education system grapples with post-reform challenges, the reintroduction of PTAs could serve as a critical tool for enhancing transparency, resource sharing, and community trust.