Africa’s future starts at school - Ministerial Meeting for Western and Central Africa

Despite recent progress, education in the region is in crisis with 80% of 10-year-old children in Western and Central Africa unable to read and understand a simple text, and more than 32 million children out of school, which represents the largest share of all regions worldwide.

Ministers of Education and Finance from the region will be gathering in Accra to discuss priorities and investments needed to advance reforms, improve learning and reimagine educations systems to ensure that young people from across the region are able to fulfill their full potential.

The discussion will highlight lessons learned emerging from consultations with key stakeholders, and present policy options identified in the new World Bank regional strategy "From School to jobs: a journey for the young people of Western and Central Africa".

The event will feature remarks from the World Bank's Senior Management in the region and discussions with a distinguished panel of African leaders, civil society organizations and youth.

• 10:00	Opening
  10:15	Introduction by the moderator
  10:20-10:30	Welcome Remarks by Ghana Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta​
  10:30-10:33	3-minute Video scene setter
  10:33-10:43	Remarks by World Bank Regional Vice President, Ousmane Diagana
  10:43-10:53	Opening Remarks by Ghana Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
  10:53-11:13	Presentation of the World Bank Regional Education Strategy by World Bank Task Team Lead
  11:13-11:30	Short performance from school students
  11:30-12:30	CNBC Africa live broadcast panel moderated by Fifi Peters: Hon. Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance, Ghana Hon. Ms. Nalova Lyonga Pauline Ebge, Minister of Secondary Education, Cameroon Hon. Mr. Mamadou Ndoye, External Advisory Panel Member and Former Minister of Education, Senegal Dr. Joan Oviawe, Commissioner of Education, Edo State, Nigeria Mr. Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa

• CNBC Africa live broadcast panel moderated by Fifi Peters:
  

  H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

  Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and head of Ghana's Economic Management Team

  Hon. Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta

  Minister of Finance, Ghana

  Hon. Ms. Nalova Lyonga Pauline Ebge

  Minister of Secondary Education, Cameroon

  Mr. Mamadou Ndoye

  External Advisory Panel Member and Former Minister of Education, Senegal

  Dr. Joan Oviawe

  Commissioner of Education, Edo State, Nigeria

  Mr. Ousmane Diagana

  World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa

  Fifi Peters

  CNBC Africa Award Winning journalist

  Moderator

• TEASER Video

  We want to hear from YOU! We are launching a poetry competition to showcase the importance of education and access to quality learning for young people in Western and Central Africa.

  Share a creative, inspiring, and artistic 1-minute video of yourself reciting YOURORIGINALPOEM for the chance to get featured on our social media channels.

  Through poetry, show and tell us how can education unlock you potential and/or impact your community?

  SHARE Now!