Thomas Tanko
THE GHANA National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has given government an ultimatum to revoke the appointment of Dr. Eric Nkansah, the new Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) by November 4, this year.
Speaking after a national council meeting, General Secretary of the Association, Thomas Tanko Musah, said the position has always been occupied by educationists since the 1970s, even under military regimes.
He said, “Council calls for the revocation and subsequent appointment of an educationist to occupy that office by November 4, 2022.”
“Council found the replacement of Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa with Dr. Eric Nkansah, a banker, both unfortunate and untenable. In the circumstance therefore, Council calls for the revocation and subsequent appointment of an educationist to occupy that office, by November 4, 2022,” a communiqué issued by GNAT at the end of its 2022 Mandatory National Council Meeting said.
The appointment of the new GES boss took effect on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.
Anthony Boateng
The association also kicked against the one-year extension contract of the Deputy Director of GES, Anthony Boateng.
“Council still opposes the said contract extension, and thereby sounds this note of caution that we would vehemently and vigorously resist any attempt to bring Mr. Anthony Boateng back into the system …” it noted.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng, earlier argued that persons who head the GES must have a teaching background.
While other teacher union leaders have kicked against the appointment, President of NAGRAT, Angel Cabonou, has also called on President Akufo-Addo to rescind the appointment.
BY Ebenezer K. Amponsah