Ghana’s Vice President, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has officially opened the 2025 Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Triennale in Accra, welcoming delegates from across the continent and reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to advancing human development through education.

Delivering her opening address, the Vice President extended warm greetings from President John Dramani Mahama, who was unable to attend due to other official duties.

She expressed Ghana’s pride in hosting this year’s Triennale, describing the event as a crucial platform for charting Africa’s education future in line with the nation’s development priorities.

“I am delighted that Ghana was chosen to host the 2025 ADEA Triennale.

Its focus on human development anchored on education resonates deeply with our national vision,” she said.

Commending the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and his team for their leadership, the Vice President noted that the 2025 edition provides an opportunity to review progress made since 2020 and examine the impact of global and continental shifts on education systems across Africa.

She highlighted the persistent challenge of learning poverty, lamenting that while school enrollment has improved, millions of children across the continent still lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

“Our education systems must not only respond to technological and societal changes but must also drive innovation and transformation,” she urged.

The Vice President paid tribute to all education workers — teachers, researchers, administrators, and support staff — for their resilience and dedication to nurturing the continent’s future generations.

Outlining key national initiatives, she cited the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP), which now extends to all public kindergarten and primary schools with support from international development partners.

She further announced the establishment of a National Research Fund, seeded with GHS50 million from the GETFund, to bolster evidence-based policymaking and promote innovation-driven research.

Concluding her address, the Vice President called for a paradigm shift in Africa’s development model.

“Africa must add value to its resources and invest in its people through education and skills development.

Education should be seen not as a social expenditure, but as the foundation for economic transformation,” she emphasised.

The 2025 ADEA Triennale brings together policymakers, academics, development partners, and educators from across Africa to deliberate on strategies for advancing education systems that can drive sustainable development on the continent.