Go and fight corruption and stop this hair issue - NDC man tells Education Minister

Former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak, has slammed the Education Minister’s recent remarks on whether senior high school students should be allowed to keep long hair, arguing that the conversation is misplaced given Ghana’s pressing educational concerns.

Mubarak questioned the logic behind linking students’ grooming rules to their future behaviour, insisting that keeping children’s hair short has no bearing on whether they become responsible adults.

“How does keeping kids’ hair short stop them from growing to be double-salary takers or corrupt politicians?” he asked in a post on Facebook. 

“Schools should be focusing on civics, patriotism, and community service. That’s a more effective way to shape students’ values and behaviors.”

He expressed worry over what he described as a “complete breakdown of patriotism” and widespread corruption in the public sector, issues he believes require stronger educational interventions, not strict hairstyles.

“Are we all not sickened by the nauseating corruption in public service, lack of accountability and a complete breakdown of patriotism?” Mubarak questioned.

The former lawmaker urged the Ministry of Education to turn its attention to policies that directly improve learning outcomes. 

He recommended promoting Science and Mathematics through competitions and awards; improving teacher welfare; strengthening supervision in rural schools; and ensuring safe, well-resourced learning environments.

“The Ministry should focus on encouraging kids to take keen interest in Science and Math through competitions and awards programs, improving the wellbeing of teachers, proper supervision of teachers, especially in the rural areas, providing safe and conducive learning environments for kids,” he said.

He also stressed the need for a stronger emphasis on civics, which he believes is vital for shaping disciplined and patriotic citizens.

“Increased attention to the teaching of civics and building a country of disciplined, patriotic and sharp students, that’s what moulds kids into responsible and successful adults,” Mubarak stated.  

“Substance over perfunctory gestures in our educational system.”  He concluded.