Accra: Dr Ekua Amoakoh, spokesperson for New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer for 2028, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of worsening Ghana's education system, particularly the challenges surrounding the Senior High School (SHS) placement process. She argued that the NDC inherited a system in which measures had already been introduced to expand educational infrastructure and ease pressure on popular senior high schools but had failed to build on those interventions since assuming office.
According to Ghana Web, Dr Amoakoh made these comments during an appearance on JoyNews AM on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. She claimed that the government's performance in education could not be compared favourably with that of the previous administration. Dr Amoakoh criticised the government for allegedly making the system worse, stating, "You inherited a system that you've made worse, actually. You are performing absolutely worse."
Dr Amoakoh highlighted the previous administration's deliberate investment in new infrastructure to create additional spaces for students, citing the establishment of 10 STEM secondary schools as part of efforts to reduce pressure on highly sought-after schools. She also mentioned investments in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), arguing that expanding alternative educational pathways was necessary to accommodate students with different abilities and interests.
She questioned the current administration's interventions, citing the previous government's 94 percent placement rate in 2024, and challenged Ama Pratt to provide evidence of any new developments introduced to improve the system. Dr Amoakoh stated, "Except your target is mediocrity, you have done nothing. I challenge you, Ama Pratt, to tell me any new thing you've built or added to improve our education."
Furthermore, Dr Amoakoh criticised the government for failing to address the underlying pressure on the education system, insisting that expanding infrastructure and creating more opportunities were necessary to prevent recurring placement difficulties. She noted that the NDC had found it easier to complain in opposition about education matters than to execute solutions now that they were in power.
Her comments come amid concerns over the 2026 Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), under which 527,932 out of 604,567 qualified candidates had secured placement, representing 87.3 percent. A total of 76,635 qualified candidates were not automatically placed, largely due to the high demand for Category A schools.