UEW-DoBE Launches Celebration of 25 Years of Basic Education
The Department of Basic Education of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) officially launched its 25th anniversary celebration with a call on stakeholders to build resilient and equitable basic education systems capable of sustaining Ghana’s future development.
The ceremony, held on Thursday, 19th March, 2026, at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre, brought together key education stakeholders, the University Management, faculty, administrators, students, alumni and representatives from the Ghana Education Service (GES) to commemorate the milestone and chart a forward-looking agenda.
Speaking as Chairperson, Ms. Dinah Anderson, Effutu Municipal Director of Education, underscored the transformative power of education in national development. She highlighted the significant strides Ghana has made in expanding access, improving infrastructure, enhancing teacher training and promoting inclusive education over the past two and a half decades.
She, however, noted that challenges such as learning gaps, infrastructural deficits and technological disparities persist, stressing the need for a resilient system that can adapt to disruptions while ensuring equitable opportunities for all learners.
Ms. Dinah Anderson commended the department for its achievements over the past 25 years. She described the journey as one marked by dedication and growth from modest beginnings to a significant force in teacher education. She praised the founding members and successive leadership for their contributions and urged the Department to continue advancing teacher development and educational innovation.
Delivering the welcome address, Prof. Sakina Acquah, Head of the Department of Basic Education, reflected on the Department’s humble beginnings and steady growth into a key pillar in teacher education in Ghana. She noted that since its establishment in the 2000/2001 academic year, the Department has remained committed to training competent and reflective teachers for the foundational levels of education.
She said that the Department had expanded significantly in staff strength, infrastructure and academic programmes, currently offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees with plans to introduce a PhD in Basic Education. She urged stakeholders to assist in posting UEW-trained graduates to schools nationwide, especially in underserved communities.
Prof. Hinneh Kusi, Dean of the School of Education and Lifelong Learning, reaffirmed UEW’s commitment to aligning its programmes with global educational demands. He emphasised the importance of integrating technology, critical thinking and inclusive practices into teacher education, noting that the department has, over the years, trained educators capable of responding to diverse learner needs.
He described the anniversary as both a moment of reflection and a call to action for continuous innovation, collaboration and research to address emerging educational challenges.
The keynote speaker, Prof. (Mrs.) Smile Gavua Dzisi, Deputy Director-General (Management Services) of GES, described the 25-year milestone as a testament to vision, resilience and dedication to foundational education. She commended UEW for its pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s educational landscape, stating that the Department of Basic Education has not only trained teachers but also influenced policy and practice nationwide.
She highlighted government efforts to strengthen foundational learning, particularly in literacy and numeracy, and stressed that investment in early education yields the highest returns for national development.
Prof. Smile Dzisi further called for renewed focus on resilience and equity in education, explaining that a resilient system must be able to anticipate, adapt and sustain learning in the face of crises while equity ensures that no learner is left behind. She urged stakeholders to strengthen teacher preparation, promote inclusive education, leverage technology appropriately and bridge the gap between research, policy and practice. She also advocated stronger partnerships among educational institutions, communities, development partners and the private sector to address complex challenges in the sector.
Prof. Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu, Guest of Honour and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UEW, officially unveiled the 25th anniversary logo. She lauded the Department for its immense contribution to teacher education, research and community engagement.
She described the department as a cornerstone of UEW’s mission, having trained thousands of professional teachers who continue to shape young minds across Ghana. She emphasised that the anniversary theme was timely, noting that resilience and equity are critical in navigating global uncertainties and ensuring inclusive access to quality education.
Prof. Esther Danso-Wiredu reiterated UEW’s commitment to supporting innovative pedagogy, research-informed policies and inclusive practices to strengthen Ghana’s education system. She encouraged the Department to leverage the anniversary to deepen partnerships, expand research and enhance its impact on national development.
The launch of the silver jubilee celebration sets the stage for a series of activities aimed at reflecting on the Department’s legacy while fostering dialogue and partnerships to advance resilient and equitable basic education in Ghana.
