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Clamping down on fake teachers
Seth Terkper, Minister of Finance, revealed that the government has recently deleted nearly 4000 fake
teachers from the government’s payroll system. Terkper credited the ability to cleanse the system to
measures such as electronic verification. Terkper stated that those who are found guilty of creating
fraudulent accounts “will face the full rigorous of the law.” This news all comes on the heels of the Ghana
Education Service (GES) pledging its commitment to remove all public teachers that are using fake
certificates.
PPP pledges to pay teachers
Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, the presidential candidate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), pledged to pay
teachers on time if elected. Nduom referenced his history of using technology to ensure that all of his
employees receive their salaries in a timely manner. Nduom, addressing the Ghana National Association
of Teachers (GNAT), also spoke of plans to make education free and compulsory and to improve on
school infrastructure.
All will be well
Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur attempted to persuade voters that the National Democratic
Congress (NDC) is truly committed to improved education in the country. Amissah-Arthur’s comments
came just more than two weeks ahead of the December election. Many Ghanaians, especially those who
support the National Patriotic Party (NPP), have tried to make the case that the NDC is merely talking
about education in order to secure votes. In terms of specifics, Amissah-Arthur said a second Mahama
administration would target teacher and facility quality.
Advice for the manifestos
Anis Haffar, an educationist who has repeatedly warned that the Ghanaian education system is in grim
condition, reflected on the effects of political leaders on the state of education. Haffar is quite direct in
his writing, claiming that by seeing schools around the world, it has become clear that education
problems in Africa are a reflection of poor leadership. “Imagine… how many toilets the cost of one
politician’s land cruiser will build for the children in a number of Ghana’s public schools,” he asks
rhetorically. He said it was good to hear the NDC, NPP, and PPP articulate their manifestos, and he
lobbied for the inclusion of several additional provisions. He highlighted the need for toilet facilities in
public schools, for an education curriculum more aligned with employer demand, for more hands-on
learning, and for uniform Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems and templates.
First Lady helping out
Lordina Mahama, Ghana’s First Lady, has commissioned a teachers quarters and a kindergarten complex,
in addition to non-education projects, in the Brong Ahafo Region. The projects are aimed at making life
more comfortable in the Kintampo South community by supporting teachers and helping working
mothers find time for employment. Mrs. Mahama also did a bit of campaigning on behalf of her
husband, claiming that government-sponsored initiatives aimed at educating impoverished communities
would be scaled up if Mahama is reelected.
Get it together
Gertrude Mensah, the Eastern Regional Director of Education, is not impressed with what she’s been
seeing. Mensah claims indiscipline among staff and students is widespread in the region. Mensah
prohibited expulsion for such behavior, however, opting not to have the education turn its back on those
who may need it most. Somewhat in defense of the students, as a Headmistress in the region pointed
out, the learning environment (e.g., not having a wall around the school) can cause distractions
Also…
Nestle Ghana has launched a promotional campaign to support education.
Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Minster of Education, spoke to the need for the a symbiotic partnership
between academia and government.
Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, an MP representing Asante Akyem North, has launched an award program to
reward students who demonstrate excellence.
Thoughtful Op-Ed posted on the debate surrounding free education.