The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has strongly rejected claims by Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin that the country’s education sector is currently facing a crisis.
Addressing the public during an interview on TV3 on Friday, September 11, 2026, the Minister responded directly to criticism from the opposition regarding ongoing operational difficulties with Senior High School (SHS) placement and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results.
Haruna Iddrisu, who is also the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, stated that the Minority Leader is blowing the situation out of proportion simply to score political points. He emphasized that high-ranking public officers must speak with certainty and refrain from making public claims when they lack complete facts.
High-Stakes Public Debates in Ghanaian Politics
During his television interview, the Education Minister reflected on the responsibilities attached to key parliamentary leadership roles. He urged Afenyo-Markin to exercise restraint when commenting on sensitive national matters.
“The office of the Minority Leader is a very important office. So when you are not sure, don’t speak,” Haruna Iddrisu remarked. He noted that he has always maintained a personal track record of consistency and careful speech in his own political career.
Haruna Iddrisu admitted that while the government faces intense public scrutiny over school admissions, these challenges should not be mischaracterized as a total collapse of the system.
He explained that the Ministry of Education has come under huge pressure from parents and students trying to secure secondary school placement. He acknowledged that the public demand for quick resolution is fully justified, but he maintained that the ministry is actively managing the transition.
Historical Context of Secondary School Placement
Defending the current administration’s record, the Minister questioned whether the current difficulties are exclusive to recent years. He pointed out that computerised placement challenges and administrative delays in secondary education have recurred across multiple political administrations over the past eight years, including during the tenure of the previous government.
He challenged the opposition leadership to trace the roots of these recurring structural issues before pointing fingers at the current sector leadership.
“So when the Honourable Afenyo-Markin says crisis, did that crisis start one and a half years ago? He should provide answers for that,” the Tamale South MP stated.
Haruna Iddrisu added that political leaders must balance healthy debate with constructive engagement. He emphasized that democratic governance relies heavily on mutual compromise rather than sensational public statements, stressing that finding common ground between the Majority and Minority remains vital for advancing Ghana’s educational reforms.
Source: GhanaWeb
