African leaders must prioritise innovative education to tackle pressing issues like conflicts, climate change, and industrial skills gaps, says Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns.
Speaking at the University of Education, Winneba’s public lecture, he stated that Africa needs education that empowers minds, not just transmits information.
He advocated a focus on STEM education to produce skilled graduates, citing Ghana’s significant industrial demand for competent candidates despite thousands of graduates annually.
Dr Chambas stressed that education must be rethought, not just reformed, to align with Africa’s needs. He outlined three key principles: relevance, resilience, and responsibility. UEW Vice Chancellor, Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual, echoed the need for inclusive education methods to address growing unemployment. “Tertiary institutions should not contribute to existing problems,” he emphasized, adding that education must remain relevant, inclusive, and forward-looking to drive progress.
