Ghana’s Ministry of Education has ordered the immediate suspension of all Senior High School (SHS) graduation ceremonies across the country following concerns about increasing displays of wealth and extravagant celebrations.
The directive was issued by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu and will remain in effect until existing guidelines for graduation ceremonies are reviewed.
In a statement released on June 20, the Ministry said it had received growing public complaints about the way some schools conduct graduation events, noting that many ceremonies are drifting away from their academic purpose.
“The Ministry of Education has taken note of growing public concerns regarding the increasing trend of excessive display of wealth and flamboyance during graduation ceremonies in some Senior High Schools across the country,” the statement said.
The Ministry emphasized that schools are institutions for learning, discipline, character development, and responsible citizenship. It stressed that graduation ceremonies should reflect modesty, dignity, and educational values rather than luxury and extravagance.
“The Ministry strongly condemns any conduct by students, parents, guardians, or other stakeholders that promotes extravagance and detracts from the true purpose of school ceremonies,” it added.
As part of the directive, the Minister instructed the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service to suspend all SHS graduation ceremonies nationwide pending a review of the current regulations.
The Ministry stated that it remains committed to ensuring that all school activities promote discipline, responsibility, and moral development.
In a related move, the Ghana Education Service has also banned extravagant post-examination celebrations on school campuses.
According to GES, schools have witnessed a growing trend of parents and guardians presenting expensive gifts such as cars, cash bouquets, and other luxury items to students after completing their final examinations.
“Management has observed with concern an emerging trend of parents and guardians engaging in flamboyant celebration of their children’s completion of Senior High School,” GES said in a statement dated June 19, 2026.
While parents remain free to celebrate their children privately, GES said such activities must not take place on school grounds.
“Schools are designed to promote social equalisers where merit and personal effort take priority over economic status,” the statement noted.
GES further warned that heads of schools who permit such celebrations on campus could face sanctions and urged strict compliance with the directive to preserve discipline, equality, and the core values of education.
