The Department of Teacher Education at the School of Education and Leadership of the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, has held a lecture in Accra to commemorate its 10th anniversary.
The lecture, held on the theme, “Addressing national digital realities and challenges basic school teachers face in adopting ICT and digital pedagogy,” focused on integrating modern digital ICT tools into basic education frameworks across Ghana.
The event also recognised the achievements of founding departmental deans, faculty heads and other key stakeholders whose efforts contributed to the department’s growth.
Stakeholder strategy sessions were also held to discuss the next decade of teacher education.
Welcome address
In his welcome address, the Dean of the School of Education and Leadership, Prof. James Dzisah, said the department was established with a clear mandate to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning in Ghana by producing teachers and teacher educators.
He said the mandate was based on the recognition that teacher education remains one of the most strategic investments any nation can make.
“No educational system can rise above the quality of its teachers,” he noted.
Prof. Dzisah charged faculty, students, alumni and partners to view the anniversary not merely as a ceremony but as a movement of renewal.
“Let this celebration provide a platform for critical self-reflection. Let it sharpen our thinking, challenge our assumptions and strengthen our resolve to advance the course of teacher education in Ghana,” he urged.
Commendation
Recounting the department’s achievements, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development at UG, Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Cudjoe, said the department, which began with 156 students, had grown to a population of about 3,644.
He said that over the past 10 years, the department had expanded its academic programmes, introducing courses covering early-grade, upper-primary and junior high school education, among others.
He applauded the founding dean and other key partners whose contributions had helped the department reach its current level.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, who read a speech on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, congratulated the department on the milestone and pledged the university management’s continued support.
“We know that basic education is the foundation for everything and the quality of education at that level is very much dependent on the quality of teachers that we produce. That is why UG is proud to partner with some of the leading colleges of education to provide this quality training to our teachers,” he said.
Commitment
The Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, Prof. George K.T. Oduro, who represented the Minister, reiterated the important role of teacher education in equipping teachers across the country.
He said teacher education was expected to respond to the demands of the 21st century by preparing highly skilled professionals who could improve learning outcomes and learner-centred pedagogies, foster inclusive classrooms, integrate technology, improve assessment and promote innovation while contributing meaningfully to national development.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to renew their commitment to advancing transformative teacher education.
“Let us remember that the future of Ghana, the quality of our democracy and the prosperity of our nation depends fundamentally upon the quality of our teachers and those who prepare them,” he said.
