Ghana’s education ministry recently directed the immediate suspension of all senior high school graduation ceremonies, citing growing concerns over what it described as excessive displays of wealth and flamboyance during such events.

A report carried by Ghanaian media house CNR CitiNewsroom stated that the ministry made public its decision in a June 20, 2026 news release, stating that it had taken note of increasing public criticism regarding the trend of extravagant celebrations that have become common at graduation ceremonies in some secondary schools.

According to CNR CitiNewsroom, the education ministry said that educational institutions are primarily meant to promote learning, discipline, character development, and the nurturing of responsible citizens. As a result, graduation ceremonies should focus on celebrating academic achievement and personal growth rather than becoming platforms for ostentatious displays.

Graduation ceremonies “should, therefore, reflect the values of modesty, dignity, and respect associated with the educational environment”, CNR CitiNewsroom quoted the ministry as saying.

The report out of Ghana came just before a fresh round of debate on the issue broke out here after the Jamaica Observer reported the story of a controversy that erupted at Ascot Primary School in Portmore, St Catherine, on another graduation matter.

The Observer front-page story on June 27, headlined ‘Graduation apartheid’, reported that the discord emanated from a decision by the school’s administrators to split this year’s graduating class on the basis of students’ performance in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) assessment results.

The Observer had reported that during the recent graduation ceremony, some grade six students were barred from donning caps and gowns because they did not meet the required academic qualifications, based on their PEP scores.

Some students were instructed to wear their standard school uniforms while classmates who reportedly attained higher PEP results participated in the graduation in full regalia.

Parents also alleged that the affected students were made to march behind their gown-clad peers, and were seated at the back of the graduating class.

The following day Jamaica’s education ministry issued a news release condemning what it described as the “inappropriate approach” taken by the school’s administration, while reaffirming its commitment to “positive discipline”.

The release also contained an apology from Ascot Principal Mark Jackson who said: “Where any of my students have been wounded or scarred, I am woefully sorry and wholeheartedly apologise for this unintended outcome.”

According to the ministry, Jackson maintained that the exclusion of students from wearing graduation gowns on the basis of academic performance was not intended to cause public humiliation. He also indicated that the decision was taken on the basis of “an agreed position following a meeting with the parents, especially for those who did not meet the criteria to participate in the graduation exercise”.

Since then, the burning issue of graduation ceremonies being held for students below the secondary education level has resurfaced, with opponents arguing that they are premature and gloss over serious issues affecting schoolchildren. They also pointed to the significant expenses that these ceremonies hold for parents.

Supporters of the ceremonies, though, have argued that there is nothing wrong with them as they give students a sense of reward as they transition to the secondary level.

In the Ghana development, CNR CitiNewsroom reported that the education ministry in that African country also condemned any conduct by students, parents, guardians, or other stakeholders that promotes extravagance and distracts from the true purpose of school graduation ceremonies.

The ministry explained that its review of the practice “is intended to ensure that graduation ceremonies align with the core values of Ghana’s education system and uphold standards of discipline and responsibility”.