By Samuel SAM
Mohammed Haroon, a teacher and former politician, has been named among 10 finalists for the Africa Education Medal.
Founded by T4 Education and HP, the Africa Education Medal is Africa’s most prestigious education accolade. The Africa Education Medal recognises the tireless work of those transforming education across the continent, celebrating their stories for lighting the spark of change so others will be inspired to take up the torch.
The ultimate winner is often given to an outstanding individual who has demonstrated impact, leadership and advocacy in the field of education. This then offers the winner an automatic qualification slot to participate in the World Education Medal.
The World Education Medal is a prestigious award recognising individuals who have significantly impacted education through leadership and advocacy in one of three regions: Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Three continents compete at the world level: the Africa Education Medal, Asia Education Medal and Latin America Education Medal, with one winner selected for each.
Nominations are open to anyone aged 18 and older, with emphasis on the importance of improving education quality globally.
The winner of this year’s Africa Education Medal will be invited to attend the World Schools Summit in Dubai on 23-24 November; and in recognition of the urgent need to solve the teacher recruitment and retention crisis to tackle learning gaps, the winner will be entitled to nominate a school of their choice to receive membership of T4 Education’s Best School to Work programme – an independent, evidence-based mechanism to certify schools for their culture and help them transform their working environment to attract and retain the best teachers.
The 10 finalists include Ahmed Kura, Co-Executive Director-Kenya Drylands Education Fund, Kenya; Angeline (Angie) Murimirwa, CEO-CAMFED, Zimbabwe; Christopher Khaemba, Co-Founder & Director-Nova Pioneer, Kenya; Hakeem Subair, CEO-One Million Teachers, Nigeria; Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye, Registrar & Chief Executive, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.
Others are Julian Hewitt, Outgoing CEO-The Jakes Gerwel Fellowship, South Africa; Mohammed Haroon, Principal Education Consultant, Ghana; Nankunda Hope Mwijuka, Executive Director-Raising Teenagers Uganda, Uganda; Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Founder & Executive Director-SEED Care and Support Foundation, Nigeria; and Taddy Blecher, CEO & Co-Founder-Maharishi Invincibility Institute, South Africa.
Alhaji Haroon’s impact
Alhaji Mohammed Haroon is a graduate of the University of Cape Coast. He was elected to Ghana’s national parliament in 1992 for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, serving until 1997.
He has served as Regional Director of Education for the Volta Region and as Regional Director of Education for the Northern Region. Hailing from the North where educational challenges remain, his work is focused on improving teaching and learning in the region.
He now serves as an educational consultant for Rising Academies, a company seeking to create the best schools and most powerful teaching and learning tools for the people who need them most.
Alhaji Haroon is one of the 15 recognised retired directors of education known for reforming secondary education in Ghana. He works to improve mathematics and literacy through Lively Minds and Rising Academy, with a particular interest in enhancing early education.
He advocates for human rights, especially for girls’ and women’s rights, through the African Diversity Network (ADN). In the northern part of Ghana, he opened public schools and two colleges of education.
He is also an education adviser to Lively Minds, a non-profit organisation founded on the belief that people can only break the cycle of poverty if they are given the information, skills and confidence to make changes themselves.
