Over the weekend, the Ministry of Education suspended all Senior High School (SHS) graduation ceremonies nationwide, with immediate effect. Schools have been directed to halt such events pending a review of the guidelines governing them.
The directive was contained in a press statement issued on Saturday and signed on the instruction of the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, who directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to enforce compliance.
No timeline was given for the completion of the review or the resumption of ceremonies. However, the Ministry’s position was clear.
It stated that it had “taken note of growing public concerns regarding the increasing trend of excessive display of wealth and flamboyance during graduation ceremonies.”
It stressed that schools exist to build discipline, character and responsible citizenship, and that ceremonies must reflect these values.
The MoE banned the presentation of expensive gifts, such as cars and money bouquets on school campuses, warning that heads who allow such activities would face sanctions. While it said it was not against celebrating students, it objected to turning school grounds into venues for conspicuous consumption.
The Chronicle finds this development troubling because it reflects a worrying shift in values. Viral videos showing luxury gifts being presented on school campuses have sparked public concern, with what should be modest academic celebrations increasingly turning into displays of wealth.
The immediate trigger for the Ministry’s action has been videos showing parents presenting cars, cash and other expensive items to students after the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Social media has amplified these scenes, turning them into entertainment and normalising excess.
This raises important questions. When did school graduation become a stage for luxury display? What educational value is attached to gifting cars on school premises? Does material display reflect academic merit or achievement?
More critically, what message does this send to students who cannot afford such displays? It risks deepening inequality and introducing unhealthy comparisons within schools that are meant to promote equal opportunity.
The Chronicle is concerned that moral restraint in parts of society appears to be weakening. When campuses become venues for ostentation, attention shifts from learning to status competition. This undermines the core purpose of education.
The growing culture of flamboyance also reflects wider societal influences where public displays of wealth are increasingly normalised. This environment risks shaping young people’s understanding of success in distorted ways.
It is difficult to justify why school premises should be used for such displays. Schools are meant for learning and discipline, not wealth exhibition. These actions appear driven more by status signalling than genuine celebration.
The trend raises broader concerns about societal values, where success is increasingly measured by material acquisition rather than knowledge or character. If left unchecked, this risks weakening respect for education itself.
The Chronicle therefore commends the Ministry of Education and the GES for their swift intervention. The suspension of ceremonies pending review is timely and necessary to restore dignity to school events.
What should be celebrated in schools is academic performance, discipline, creativity and moral development. Education must remain a tool for knowledge and national progress, not a platform for luxury display.
We maintained that students should be encouraged to prioritise learning and innovation. We believe knowledge remains the most valuable and lasting asset a student can acquire, unlike material possessions that depreciate over time.
Globally, education systems reward academic excellence, research and leadership potential. Outstanding students are supported by institutions and identified for further development. Ghana must continue to align with this direction in a knowledge-driven world.
The Chronicle believes this intervention should serve as a reset. Parents and guardians must refocus on education and character development rather than public displays of affluence. A society that values knowledge over wealth builds stronger foundations for the future.
A word to the wise is enough!
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