The Ministry of Education has directed an immediate halt to all Senior High School (SHS) graduation ceremonies across the country amid rising concerns about extravagant displays of wealth and lavish celebrations associated with the events.
According to a statement issued on Saturday, June 20, the suspension, ordered by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, will remain in effect while authorities review the guidelines governing graduation ceremonies in secondary schools.
The Ministry said it had taken note of increasing public complaints regarding the manner in which some schools have been conducting graduation events, arguing that the ceremonies have gradually shifted away from their academic and educational purpose.
“The Ministry of Education has observed growing public concern over the trend of excessive spending and flamboyant displays during graduation ceremonies in certain senior high schools nationwide,” the statement said.
Officials stressed that educational institutions are expected to foster discipline, character development and responsible citizenship, and therefore graduation ceremonies should be marked by modesty, dignity and respect rather than extravagance.
The Ministry further criticised actions by students, parents, guardians and other stakeholders that encourage excessive displays of wealth and undermine the true essence of school-related events.
As part of the directive, the minister instructed the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to suspend all SHS graduation ceremonies with immediate effect pending a comprehensive review of the existing regulations.
The statement reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that all school activities promote discipline, responsibility and moral values among students.
In a related development, the Ghana Education Service has also prohibited extravagant post-examination celebrations on school premises. The ban covers practices such as presenting students with expensive gifts, including cars, large sums of money and money bouquets.
In a statement dated June 19, 2026, GES expressed concern about what it described as a growing culture of lavish celebrations taking place on school campuses following the completion of final examinations.
While acknowledging the right of parents and guardians to celebrate the achievements of their children, the service emphasised that such celebrations should not be held within school compounds.
GES noted that schools are intended to serve as environments where merit, hard work and personal achievement take precedence over financial status and social privilege.
GES warned that school heads who fail to enforce the directive could face disciplinary action and urged strict adherence to the new measures in order to preserve equality, discipline and the core values of the educational system.
