Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has urged Ghanaian parents to prioritise raising their children in Ghana during their formative years, saying local education plays a critical role in instilling values, discipline and patriotism before they pursue studies abroad.

Speaking at the launch of the National Integrity Awards Scheme at the D.F. Annan Auditorium in Parliament on Monday, July 27, 2026, Bagbin advised parents to allow their children to complete their basic and secondary education in Ghana before seeking international educational opportunities.

According to him, children who spend their early years with their families and within their local communities are more likely to develop a strong sense of national identity, family values and responsibility.

He argued that children who relocate abroad at a very young age often lose their connection to their families and homeland, making it difficult for them to maintain meaningful ties with Ghana.

"Many of you who rush your children abroad to study, I beg you, you don't love your children because you know you are going to lose them," Bagbin said.

He noted that students who leave Ghana only after attaining maturity, particularly for postgraduate education, are more likely to return home after completing their studies.

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"It's when they study here and get to a stage of maturity, and they want to advance, and they are going to do a master's, a PhD, or that kind of thing, that you have hope they will come back," he stated.

Bagbin further stressed that exposing children to foreign environments too early could weaken their understanding of family life and reduce their sense of patriotism.

"Those you carry as babies and send there, they don't even come to your funeral. It's true. They don't know you. They don't have any attachment. They don't like your country. There's no patriotism there. They don't know what a family is," he added.

He appealed to parents to rethink the practice of sending children abroad at a young age, urging them instead to focus on nurturing their children's character and love for Ghana before exposing them to opportunities overseas.

"Please, I beg you, let's change our ways," Bagbin said.

The National Integrity Awards Scheme, launched in Parliament, is aimed at promoting integrity, accountability and ethical leadership among Ghanaians.

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