The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has issued an appeal to the government to address what he described as the diminishing dignity of the teaching profession in Ghana.

His remarks were directed at Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang during the investiture ceremony of Prof Eric Kwasi Ofori as Vice Chancellor of Garden City University in Kumasi on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

He lamented that teachers, once held in high esteem, are now undervalued despite their central role in shaping the nation’s future.

The Okyenhene highlighted pressing challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, outdated curricula and poor remuneration, particularly in rural areas.

He warned that these conditions trap children born in rural Ghana in cycles of limited opportunity, noting that many schools lack even basic infrastructure like chairs and proper learning spaces.

He urged the government to emulate countries where teachers are treated as special professionals, provided with modern facilities and accorded respect equal to their importance in national development.

“Let me just say to the vice president that you are here in this city but what we need to do is to make sure that we take this education to give every child in this country a place to sit. A table to ride on. A roof over their head and a good teacher to learn from. For some reason, we have diminished the dignity of the teaching profession," he said.

My message to the Vice President, you are here in the city (Kumasi)…Classrooms in rural Ghana are overcrowded, and the curriculum is outdated. Teachers are not paid well - Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin to Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/EXluabA2ls

— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) July 9, 2026