Gov’t to Recruit 7,000 Teachers from July 1, Eyes 50,000 Target — Education Minister

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu says government will begin recruiting a new batch of 7,000 teachers from July 1, as part of efforts to address staffing gaps in schools across the country.

Speaking in Parliament, the Minister said Ghana needs at least 50,000 teachers nationwide, but recruitment levels are constrained by budget limits and the impact of compensation on government spending.

He disclosed that he is engaging the Finance Minister to increase the number of teachers to be recruited, noting that any adjustment must be on budget. The Finance Minister may address it during the mid-year budget review, he added.

The Minister said his attention was drawn during the May Day celebrations to concerns about inclusivity in recruitment. He cited a worker who danced with a placard reading _“blind teachers are also teachers”_, reminding authorities to consider teachers with disabilities.

He also referenced a request from the Ga Mantse highlighting a shortage of Ga language teachers in the Greater Accra Region, adding that similar concerns exist in other regions. In Savannah, he said, there were calls for dedicated teachers for local languages.

“It is our firm belief that when children learn with a local language as first language of instruction in addition to English, learning outcomes improve,” Iddrisu said. He cited supporting evidence from Oxford studies, stressing that while English remains Ghana’s official language, more must be done to integrate local languages in teaching.

The Minister assured Parliament that recruitment will be guided to address regional needs, including in the Prestea Huni-Valley area.

He began to share an update from a documentary he watched but did not complete the thought.