President Mahama said education should not be seen as the only focus of SDG 4 – which emphasises quality education, but also the enabler of all the other SDGs. He said this in an address on the topic “Education as justice in times of crisis” at the Doha Forum last Sunday (December 7, 2025).

He stressed that without education it would be a difficult task to attain all the SDGs, saying education illuminated the path to every other goal, empowered individuals, strengthened institutions and transformed nations.

“Without education, we cannot end poverty, which is SDG 1.

Without education, we cannot achieve good health and well-being, which is SDG 3. Without education, we cannot attain gender equality, which is SDG 5. 

“Without education, we cannot build decent work and economic growth, which is SDG 8.

Without education, we cannot strengthen climate adaptation, which is SDG 13; and without education, we cannot secure peace, justice and strong institutions, which is SDG 16,” he said. 

Citing the country’s experience, he said education was a fundamental human right enshrined in Article 25 of Ghana's 1992 Constitution which guaranteed the right to equal educational opportunities and facilities for all, as a key driver of justice.
 

This foundational article, according to him, had captured the soul of the country’s commitment that “education is not a privilege, nor an afterthought of government policy, but an inherent right, a necessary condition for the dignity, empowerment and full realisation of every citizen”.

The President added that this constitutional declaration reflected a universal truth that education was the purest expression of justice, especially in times of crisis.

He indicated that the country had made significant progress in expanding access to education, including the introduction of free basic and secondary education and investments in technical, vocational, and educational training (TVET).

The President affirmed that for the world to experience a just, peaceful and cross-cultural world, leaders must ensure just, equitable and resilient education systems, stressing that justice should not be confined to domestic laws, but should be a global concern.

Protecting education, evolution

President Mahama described education as a “global public good”, which must not be denied any child.

“When children in one region are denied the opportunity to learn due to conflict or poverty, the entire world loses talent, innovation and potential,” he said.

For education to serve as justice in times of crisis, he urged the global community to commit to “protecting education budgets in times of crisis. Economic austerity should not begin in the classroom.

Integrating education into humanitarian response plans.”

The President underscored the need for a change in education, saying it must evolve to respond to the needs of the times.

“Education today must prepare young people to adapt to climate shocks, navigate digital disruptions, participate in democracy and governance, contribute to peaceful societies and compete in a global economy that is increasingly driven by technology and innovation,” he said.

“Education must be transformational, not transactional. It must be equitable, not exclusive.

It must be forward-looking and not outdated.

This is the justice we owe our children. Justice is not only delivered in the courtrooms, justice lives in the classrooms.

It is found in the moment a child learns to read,” he said.

Injustices due to war

The President lamented the challenges facing education globally, including conflicts, economic shocks, climate instability, and pandemics, which had disrupted education and exacerbated inequalities.

He emphasised that education must be seen as a critical component of humanitarian response, rather than an optional add-on.

President Mahama commended the Doha Forum for recognising and awarding educators and organisations working to close educational learning gaps in crisis-affected areas, such as Gaza, Afghanistan, and Sudan.