By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
President John Dramani Mahama has named Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South Haruna Iddrisu as Education Minister-designate, in his second batch of ministerial appointments.
When vetted and approved, Huruna Iddrisu will hold the singular honour of leading the education sector’s transformation, based on government’s 30-point policy proposition in the 2024 election manifesto, with a focus on the myriad of challenges facing the sector.
The announcement has sparked a social media frenzy, as some social commentators believe it’s a strategic appointment to transform the sector considering his experience and influence – while others believe it’s a set-up to end his political career because there is no way he will succeed in that sector.
“As we grapple with existential crises facing our education system, it’s becoming increasingly evident that we need a leader of Haruna Iddrisu’s calibre to orchestrate a comprehensive overhaul and restore the sector to its former glory,” Bawa Nuhu Issahak wrote on ‘X’.
“Haruna Iddrisu at the Education Ministry, they want to trap him with the cancellation of Free SHS to make him unpopular. This man is too smart and intelligent… He will get it right,” @Castin Billz also said.
The Education Sector Task Ahead
Heading into the 2024 elections, discussions surrounding the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy was a major concern. While the New Patriotic Party (NPP) argued that the National Democratic Party’s (NDC) review of the policy means cancellation, the latter refuted this completely.
While challenges associated with the policy’s implementation are well-known – especially funding, quality and infrastructure, particularly their impact on secondary education – recent developments highlight the urgent need for effective management.
As Minister of Education, Mr. Iddrisu will face the daunting task of addressing these challenges coupled with similar basic level issues such as curriculums without text books, high school drop-out rate, the over 5,000 schools under trees, lack of desks and other infrastructure shortfalls
With his extensive political experience and proven leadership capabilities, the MP has garnered a reputation for his strong advocacy of social equity and economic reform. With the right support and a free hand to act like the former Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum, even if any Free SHS policy future decision by government makes him unpopular, his transformative performance in other sub-areas could be a reason for his celebration.
NDC Manifesto on Education
The NDC in its manifesto listed a comprehensive 30-point education policy aimed at transforming the sector, prioritising accessibility, affordability and quality. This stemmed from the popular opinion that the Free SHS policy delivers accessibility but is highly deficient on quality.
The manifesto emphasised the importance of education in driving economic growth, reducing poverty and promoting social mobility.
Education sector stakeholders are keenly waiting to see Haruna Iddrisu implement key issues among the 30 policies: such as the ‘Bright Beginnings Initiative’ to revive early childhood education; a review of the Computerised School Selection & Placement System (CSSPS); and implementation of a ‘No-Academic-Fee’ policy for first-year students in all public tertiary institutions.
Worthy of position as Minister of State
Haruna Iddrisu has held various positions in government, including Minister for Communications under the Mills and Mahama governments as well as Minister for Trade between 2013 and 2014. He was appointed Minister for Employment and Labour Relations by President Mahama in July 2014.
Experience as Member of Parliament
He first stood for MP during the 2004 parliamentary election in the then newly-formed Tamale South constituency and won. Iddrisu served as the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications and also Minority Spokesman on Communications in the fourth Parliament when the NDC was in opposition.
He retained his seat in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 elections and was selected to lead the minority caucus as Minority Leader of the 7th Parliament.
Early life and education
Haruna Iddrisu was born in 1970 at Tamale. He started his early education at Kulikuli school and later studied at the University of Ghana between 1993 and 1997 for his first degree, a B.A. in Sociology. He was active in student politics and was President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) during his final year. Iddrisu is also a barrister and has been a member of the Ghana Bar Association since 2002.
Love for Sports
He is a football enthusiast who owns Premier League (PL) club Karela United and Division One side Steadfast FC, a club that produced Leicester City’s winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.
