The teacher unions that are on strike because the Ghana Education Service (GES) appointed a banker as its Director General have asked their members to stay at home because their meeting with the government ended on day one without a decision being made.
The meeting has been deferred till November 8th, tomorrow.
In an interview with TV3’s Daniel Opoku on Monday, November 7, following the first day of the conference, Rev. Isaac Owusu, president of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), said, “I can tell you on authority that so far so good we have had a really constructive discussion. The parties have agreed to break off the discussion and resume it at 2 PM tomorrow.
“The teachers should maintain their composure and continue to stay at home,” he continued.
Bright Wireko Brobbey, the deputy minister of employment and labor relations, added, “We had another productive meeting. We need to have more discussions, but if God wills, tomorrow we’ll successfully resolve this issue.
Due to the selection of Dr. Eric Nkansah as the new Director General of the Ghana Education Service, GNAT, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT) have all called strikes (GES).
They announced the strike on Friday, November 4.
Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwah was replaced as Director-General of the GES by Dr. Nkansah, who was chosen by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The appointment becomes effective on October 19, 2022, a Wednesday.
I’d want to take this chance to officially congratulate you on your appointment. Please let us know if you accept or reject this appointment within 14 days of receiving this letter, according to a statement made by Nana Bediatuo Asante, the Executive Secretary to the President.
But the appointment was denied by NAGRAT, GNAT, and CCT.
The new hire, according to the associations, is a banker without any prior teaching experience. They are therefore dissatisfied with his appointment.
On October 20, Mr. Angel Carbonou, President of NAGRAT, indicated that teachers were expecting that someone with experience in education would be nominated so that they could contribute their knowledge.
This appointment is an indication that there are no qualified teaching professionals to man education in Ghana, he said.
Mr Carbonou indicated that they are annoyed and surprised by the appointment of Dr Nkansah.
He said “What annoyed and surprised all of us was that a new Director General has been appointed to the Ghana Education Service.
“The authority to appoint Director General of GES is the President of the land. Unfortunately, contrary to what the teacher unions indicated that, we will want a Director General who is a professional teacher, who has passed through the mill, who can bring his knowkdge, skills and influence to bear on the activities of teachers and non-teachers in the GES.
“Contrary to that, the gentlemen who was appointed yesterday is not a teacher, he is banking officer, who was a special assistant in the office of the Minister and has been appointed as the DG of the GES. We are not happy with this development, it is as of we don’t have professionals and well educated people who have gone through the mill in education in this country to run education.”