Dr. Kwabena Bempah Tandoh quit as GES Deputy Director-General
After more than six and a half years of service, Dr Kwabena Bempah Tandoh has stepped down as the Deputy Director-General (Quality and Access) of the Ghana Education Service (GES), effective February 21, 2025.
Dr Kwabena Bempah Tandoh’s exit follows the government appointment of Issahaque Munawaru as the new Deputy Director-General (Quality and Access) of the Ghana Education Service (GES).
During his tenure, Dr. Tandoh played a crucial role in enhancing teaching and learning, improving educational quality, and expanding access to education for all Ghanaian children.
Reporting directly to the Director-General, Dr. Tandoh provided supervisory oversight for four key divisions within the GES, ensuring alignment with the Education Strategic Plan (ESP 2018-2030).
His responsibilities as the Deputy Director-General (Quality and Access) at the Ghana Education Service included research, assessment, monitoring, and evaluation, all critical to the advancement of Ghana’s education sector.
“It has been an honour to contribute to the advancement of education in Ghana. I am particularly proud of the work we have done to expand access and improve quality, and I am confident that the GES will continue to build on these achievements,’ ” stated Dr. Tandoh.
Key achievements during Dr. Tandoh’s tenure include:
1. Double Track System: Serving as the Chief Technical Officer in the conceptualization, development, and design of the Double Track System for Senior High Schools (SHS), a critical component of the Free Senior High School Policy. He also oversaw its implementation at the GES.
2. Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP): As Chief Technical Officer, Dr. Tandoh led the conceptualization and design of the $218.7 million USD GALOP. He was also a key member of the Ghanaian team that negotiated the project at the World Bank Head Office in Washington, D.C., and subsequently led its implementation at the GES.
3. Global Partnership for Education (GPE) COVID-19 Accelerated Funding: Leading the conceptualization, design, and implementation of the GPE COVID-19 Accelerated Funding, bolstering resilience in Ghana’s education system during the pandemic.
4. Education in Emergency Policy: Spearheading the development of Ghana’s Education in Emergency Policy.
5. SHS Core Subject Teacher Training: Leading the development of content for the training of Core Subject Teachers in SHS.
6. GES PLC App: Driving the development and deployment of the GES PLC App to support Professional Learning Communities.
7. Curriculum Reform: Leading the implementation of the Standard Based Curriculum and the Common Core Curriculum at the GES.
Prior to being appointed to the GES, he was a consultant with the World Bank serving as the Instructional Coordinator on the Secondary Education Improvement Project (SEIP).
He served as the Executive Director for Schools for AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Schools in Obuasi. While serving with AGA Dr. Tandoh established the Williams and Brew School as a Cambridge Accredited school.
He has worked as Principal for Risingsun Montessori Schools, Lead Consultant and Executive Director of Goodwin College Ghana, an American College in East Hartford, Connecticut. He served as the Vice Principal for Academic and Student Affairs for CTC International Schools in Lagos, Nigeria.
Dr. Tandoh served for 3 years as the Program Coordinator (Head of Department) for the Human Services Program at Saint Louis Community College in the USA where he also held the position of a full-time faculty member.
In student residential life, his experience includes serving as Residence Hall Coordinator at Saint Louis University, Missouri USA and as Residential Area Coordinator at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, USA.
Dr. Tandoh also held a concurrent position while at Millikin University as Director for Multicultural and International Students Affairs. The City of Decatur appointed him as chairman of the Diversity Committee during his tenure at Millikin University.
He holds a BA in Urban and Community Planning and a Master of Social Work with a focus in Social Development and Clinical Practice from the University of Connecticut. His Ph.D. work is from Saint Louis University in Higher Education Leadership and Administration.
Dr. Tandoh holds professional memberships and associations including the Council on Social Work Education, National Association of Black Social Workers, NAFSA – Association of International Educators and the American College Personnel Association (ACPA).
