In Support Of The New Vice Chancellor

(By Enock Gyan)

The current brand of democracy transcending the African landscape bores ample credence to the fact that there is no enough organic connection between the western democratic ideal and the cultural heritage of the African people. The assertion by Dr.Dzisah (2009) that Africa can not transport democratic seeds from the capitalist gardens of Paris, London and Washington and expect it to blossom therefore holds water. From his own angle, Awoonor (1990) believes that Africa’s democracy is on a life support since it lacks the communitarian principle of consultation and shared values.

Cultural, sociological and historical elements aside, democracy in Africa today lacks the Jefferson oxygen; the vibrant information tool of successful democracies across the globe. With more than 40% of her populace being illiterates, the western apparel of hippopotamus coinages and flamboyant language in the life of a toddling democracy is no less than simply a Trojan horse. The absence of telepathy between the African factor and the western concept has a semblance in the educational fabric.

The tag ‘brain drain’ is more of a cliché today than a concern. With young African scholars pouring onto the western front, the mal-nutritional intellectual front raises eye brows. Just as the saying goes; ‘prevention is better than cure’, It is imperative that we diagnose the root cause of this phenomenon than find solutions to it as it keeps ascending to unimaginable proportions. It is against this backdrop that I find the words of the new vice chancellor of the University for Development studies ProfessorbHaruna Yakubu, as very timely. His promise to transmogrify the university into a more practical centre is worth it.

Education in Ghana is a paradox of ‘hyped-certificates’ in the midst of ignorance. The absence of practical concepts makes both teaching and learning very cumbersome. It either out-stretches the curriculum or down plays it.

Again, it is when we have practical strings attached to the theoretical knowledge that we can be able to churn out useful talent. The skimpy educational set has resulted in under-developed professionals in most of our tertiary institutions. No wonder more graduates always perform below the expectation of their employers. But what else can we expect? One will certainly dance in a style reflective of the tune of the drum beat.

The country has certainly come very far when it comes to educational matters. But we certainly must strive to greater heights, since the grass hopper must not be too quick to congratulate itself until the fire storm dies out. It is about time we pay careful attention to education in this country. It is the last best hope for a country which finds her self in a world where knowledge governs ignorance.

At this point in our country’s history, it is more than necessary that we garnish our education with a more world class outlook. In this regard, we cannot afford to repeat the mistake of the democratic experiment. Our style of education must assume the pan African posture. The western style of education must go through some genetic engineering to assume a more Ghanaian context. This is the time to position ourselves to groom scholars for national, continental and global excellence. I wish the Professor a successful term of office.

In God we trust!

The writer is the leader of Orange Education Ghana and a member of the African leaders’ project of the African leadership Academy based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Oeghana.blogspot.com/gyanenock@yahoo.co.uk

TODAY’S EDUCATION; WHO CARES?

(By Enock Gyan)

Anytime I reflect on how education is being suffocated in this country, the sorrow that stabs my soul is too cadaverous for pen or tongue to tell. I always feel very embarrassed when I consider how our leaders, the media and corporate bodies show less concern about education although they tout their commitment with their lips.

Today in Ghana, entertainment has virtually taken over education. It has become very difficult if not impossible for educational programmes like the brilliant Math and science Quiz, Scripps spelling Bee, and debates etc to be consistent due to the unavailability of sponsors notwithstanding the low priming from the inky fraternity (a.k.a the press).The sponsors that flood entertainment events is in stark contrast to what pertains with educational programmes. If we claim that education holds the key to our future as a nation then am afraid to say that our thinking is a mirage that will never come to fruition.

Our failure to invest in education as a people poses great danger to all aspects of our national life since in our world today, knowledge is what governs ignorance. According to Dr.Ben Carson; the worlds best neurosurgeon in his book gifted hands opines that, it is common sense for us to realize that depending on how we brand and reward education or entertainment will inform the choice of our young people. His words are more than relevant in our world today. America is a suitable case in point. The educational fabric as of now has being ripped the shred. SAT scores continue to drop so low in American public schools year by year; and America is now trailing some third world countries in Math and science by a county miles. The much emphasis of America on recruiting foreign students is as a result of its crippling intellectual front with young American students showing preference for entertainment to education. No wonder brain drain spans on. Indeed it is certainly not an understatement to say that more of the young people in Ghana today are showing less concern for education-a replica of the American woe! Many young people today measure the dividends of education as incomparable to that of entertainment.

Academic grooming aside, it is critical that we consider the kind of values that we pass across to the next generation who will hold the fort in the absence of the present generation. The sexually explicit materials that keep rolling on our screens enforce the message of rape and abuse. The throwing away of our values and social principles as a people shows how we as a people are gradually ripping off our time tested values. Morality today has become a sick joke and decency has being thrown to the dogs. The media hype nakedness and our political leaders nod to the jiggling tunes of nudity and feast on the waggling bodies of half-naked women in the name of a contest which signals right but points left. Posterity will certainly judge us.

It is about time Ghana and Africa in general pursue a pan-African form of education which recognizes our values and principles. We need to be aware of how a cabal of self seeking crooks in this country and outside seeks to destroy our education and orientation as a people. I am not washing off entertainment but am calling for the pursuance of holistic education above entertainment since that is what we need most as a people. The time has come to promote sound education. We must be prepared to shape the future of our youth by emphasizing on leadership training, entrepreneurial skills and commitment to public service. I appeal to corporate bodies, the government, the media and every Ghanaian citizen to sacrifice for the future. Let’s live beyond today.

In God we trust.

The writer is the leader of Orange Education Ghana and a member of the African leaders’ project of the African leadership Academy based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Oeghana.blogspot.com/gyanenock@yahoo.co.uk