Education minister proposes national cultural dress day for schools

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has proposed a national day for Ghanaian students to wear traditional attire in schools across the country, as part of efforts to preserve and promote local cultural identity. 

The call was made in Accra on February 10, 2026, during the closing ceremony of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

Speaking at the event, Mr Iddrisu said such a day would allow learners to showcase the diversity of Ghana’s cultural heritage while fostering national pride.

“Probably, we should declare a day when every Ghanaian learner must go in culturally fitting dress to observe our day nationwide so that each culture, each society, will reflect its values and culture as we observe it,” he said.

The proposal was made alongside remarks on the role of education, science, and innovation in national development. Mr Iddrisu noted that while advances in quantum science and technology are important, nurturing Ghanaian values through education remains equally important.

He also shared a light-hearted anecdote about cultural attire debates, recalling a friendly discussion between Ghana and Zambia over what constitutes traditional smock attire. 

By linking cultural awareness with education, Mr Iddrisu said the initiative could make national celebrations more participatory and reflective of Ghana’s diverse societies.

“This gathering in Accra brings together leaders in science, policy, and education at an important moment for the international community,” he said, adding that educational initiatives grounded in both science and culture are important for shaping the nation’s future.