The Ministry of Education has ordered an immediate suspension of all Senior High School (SHS) graduation ceremonies across Ghana, citing growing concerns about excessive displays of wealth and flamboyance at such celebrations.
Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, issued the instruction, which is anticipated to stay in effect until current regulations pertaining to graduation ceremonies are examined.
The Ministry said in a news release on Saturday, June 20, that it had noticed growing public disapproval of the way some senior high schools celebrate graduation.
“The Ministry of Education has taken note of growing public concerns regarding the increasing trend of excessive display of wealth and flamboyance during graduation ceremonies in some Senior High Schools across the country,” the statement stated.
The Ministry states that rather than serving as venues for ostentatious displays, graduation ceremonies should represent the principles of learning, discipline, and character development that schools are supposed to foster.
Additionally, the Ministry denounced actions that divert attention from the ceremonies’ intended aim.
The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has been directed by the Education Minister to immediately stop all SHS graduation ceremonies across the country as part of steps to resolve the problem.
“Consequently, the Honourable Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to suspend all Senior High School graduation ceremonies nationwide with immediate effect, pending a review of existing guidelines governing such events,” the statement said.
The Ministry reiterated its dedication to making sure that school-based activities foster the growth of responsible and disciplined youth.
In the meantime, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has outlawed lavish post-exam parties on school grounds due to worries that the expanding custom is dividing society and detracting from academic success.
The edict, which was made public in a statement dated June 19, 2026, forbids parents and guardians from giving costly presents to children on school grounds after they graduate from senior high school, such as cars and cash flowers.
GES claims to have noticed a growing trend of lavish celebrations occurring on school property and feels that this practice is at odds with the ideals that schools are supposed to uphold.
“Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has observed with concern an emerging trend of parents and guardians engaging in flamboyant celebration of their children’s completion of Senior High School,” the statement said.
These festivities are frequently “characterised by the presentation of expensive gifts such as motor vehicles and money bouquets to their children or wards on school premises,” according to the report.
The Service emphasised that such displays should not occur within school grounds, even if it recognised parents’ wish to celebrate their children’s accomplishments.
GES declared an immediate ban on extravagant festivities on its campuses in order to stop the tendency from getting ingrained in school culture.
“In order to ensure that this practice does not gain roots in the school culture, Management wishes to inform the general public that, henceforth, post-examination celebrations that are characterised by lavish presentation of items such as motor vehicles to students are prohibited on school premises,” it said.
The Service also warned heads of schools that they will be held accountable for any infractions of the directive.
“Heads of schools who allow this practice on their campus will be sanctioned,” the statement advised.
GES defended the ruling by stating that educational institutions are meant to create a setting in which all students receive equal treatment, irrespective of the financial status of their families.
It said that ostentatious displays of wealth on school grounds risk fostering unwarranted divisions among students.
In order to uphold the principles of equity and discipline in educational institutions, the Service urged parents, guardians, and other interested parties to support the directive.
“Management counts on the usual cooperation of parents, guardians, and other stakeholders,” the statement stated.
Read Education Ministry Statement Below:
Source: newsthemegh.com