By Jones Anlimah
The 2nd Regional Quadrennial Conference of the Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS) has opened in Ho in the Volta Region, with strong calls from education leaders for the empowerment and improved welfare of headteachers to enhance the quality of basic education in Ghana.
The event, themed “Empowering Heads, Enhancing Education Leadership for Quality Basic Education,” brought together members of the association across the region, education stakeholders, including national and regional executives and lecturers.
The Volta Regional Chairman of COHBS, Vincent Stephen Gordor, raised critical welfare concerns confronting heads of basic schools, particularly the non-payment of responsibility allowances. He revealed that “over 20 percent still do not receive their responsibility allowance, an amount as low as 60 cedis per month in some cases,” adding that some have gone six to seven years without receiving the benefit.
Mr. Gordor called for the issue to be addressed in the 2026 national budget and appealed to government to “treat the welfare of headteachers with the seriousness it deserves.” He also decried the frequent transfer of headteachers, which he said undermines school stability and morale. He urged the Ministry of Education to curb what he described as the “abuse of transfer authority” and called for technocratic, not political, management of education.
The National President of the Conference, Nicholas Nii Kpakpo Addo, commended heads of basic schools for their commitment and resilience in advancing the cause of basic education. He described the conference as “a celebration of progress, unity, and collective responsibility,” adding that the growing recognition COHBS enjoys from the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service “is not accidental, but the fruit of our unity and consistency.”
Mr. Addo appealed to the Ministry of Education and the GES to address the welfare concerns of headteachers, stressing that effective leadership depends on motivation and resources. He said: “We respectfully appeal for incentives, professional development opportunities, and the necessary logistics to enable us to deliver quality leadership and supervision at the school level. The success of every school begins with the effectiveness of its leader.”
Delivering a statement on behalf of Dr. Theophilus Senyo Akorlie, of the Ho Technical University, Mr. Edward Sedzro, a lecturer from the University, underscored the need to equip headteachers with modern leadership tools to drive educational transformation. He described headteachers as “the vertebra of Ghana’s educational spine,” saying their empowerment is crucial to sustaining reforms and improving learning outcomes.
Mr. Sedzro said while Ghana’s education system has strong policies, implementation remains a challenge. “Policies alone do not teach children, people do. Teachers do,” he emphasized. He urged government and stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric to practical empowerment through continuous professional development, digital literacy training, and adequate funding. “A 21st century school requires a 21st century headteachers equipped with instructional leadership, ICT, and financial management skills,” he said.
The opening session also saw three Members Of Parliament including Ho West MP, Hon. Kwasi Bedzrah, Adaklu MP, Hon. Kwame Agbodza Governs and North Tongu MP, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa being recognised for their efforts at promoting and enhancing quality education in their respective areas.
