Ghanaian Commissioner Fights Back Against Controversy-Plagued Private Schools

Leaked documents reveal that Ghana's commissioner of education, Dr. Eric Nkansah, has been locked in a bitter dispute with the country's powerful private school lobby. The controversy centres around Dr. Nkansah's directive to shut down 237 schools across the country for operating without valid licenses.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education, the schools were shut down in May 2026 following a nationwide inspection that revealed widespread irregularities. Dr. Nkansah claimed that many of the schools were operating 'illegally', failing to meet minimum standards, or charging exorbitant fees to unsuspecting parents.

The statement sparked outrage among the private school owners, who claim that the commissioner's actions are an 'assault on their freedom of business'. The group, which represents over 1,000 private schools, has threatened to sue the government for 'economic harm'.

But the private school owners are not the only ones taking issue with Dr. Nkansah's actions. Critics in Parliament have begun calling for his head, accusing him of 'overstepping his bounds' and 'undermining the sector'. A motion of no confidence has been tabled, and a vote is expected within the next fortnight.

The controversy has sent shockwaves through the education sector, with many questioning the motives behind the crackdown. While Dr. Nkansah insists that he is acting in the public interest, others see it as a thinly veiled attempt to 'strangle the private school sector'.

And it's not just the private schools that are affected. Over 10,000 teachers are expected to lose their jobs as a result of the shutdown, sparking concerns about the impact on the wider economy.

Dr. Nkansah has a reputation for being no-nonsense. A former lecturer at the University of Ghana, he rose through the ranks to become an assistant minister before being appointed education commissioner in 2024. His no-holds-barred approach has won him fans among some quarters, but drawn criticism from others who see it as 'heavy-handed'.

The Ministry of Education has said that it will not back down on the directive, citing the 'safety of pupils' as its top priority. The matter now hangs in the balance, with the courts set to decide the fate of the private schools and their thousands of students.