GES Becoming Source of Disaffection for Gov’t – MP Laments
...Questions Handling of Recruitment, Promotion & Other Issues
The Ketu North Member of Parliament (MP), Eric Edem Agbana, has accused the Ghana Education Service (GES) of increasingly becoming a source of avoidable disaffection for the government through its handling of issues within the Service.
According to the MP, concerns over teacher recruitment, promotion and the recent controversy involving Prospectus Ghana Limited raise questions about the transparency and accountability of the GES.
Mr Agbana, who is also a member of Parliament’s Education Committee, said state institutions must be careful not to undermine public confidence in the government through decisions and actions that could have been avoided.
In a Facebook post on Monday, September 28, the MP said: “The GES is increasingly becoming a source of avoidable disaffection for our government. From the handling of teacher recruitments to issues of teacher’s promotion and others. We must not do things that erode the confidence people have in our government.”
His comments follow a press statement issued by the GES concerning a reported partnership between the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTA) and Prospectus Ghana Limited to market and sell products in about 200 schools.
The GES statement has sparked public discussion over the nature of the arrangement and whether parents and students were being compelled to purchase the products.
Mr Agbana said the GES statement had failed to adequately address the concerns surrounding the arrangement, arguing that it “raises more questions than it answers.”
He challenged the GES to publish the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it says it has with Prospectus Ghana Limited to enable the public to understand the terms of the agreement.
“If the GES says it has an MoU with Prospectus Ghana Limited, then publish the MoU. Ghanaians deserve to know exactly what was agreed, what products it covers, and what authority, if any, it gives Prospectus Ghana,” he said.
The MP also questioned why Prospectus Ghana had allegedly created the impression that it had an agreement to introduce or impose its products on parents and students if, as stated by the GES, purchases were strictly voluntary.
He further asked whether other traders and suppliers of educational items were required to obtain an MoU with the GES before introducing their products to schools.
“Do other sellers or traders of educational items need an MoU with the GES before introducing their products to schools? If yes, what is the process and who else has received such approval? If no, why was an MoU necessary in this particular case?” he asked.
Mr Agbana said the questions required clear answers rather than being dismissed through a press statement.
He called on the GES to clearly communicate to schools and parents whether the purchase of the products was voluntary and, if Prospectus Ghana had exceeded the terms of its agreement, to disclose this and take the necessary action.
“Dear GES, please wake up,” the MP said, stressing the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of the Service.
He added that government institutions must recognise that their actions could have wider consequences for public confidence in the government.
“We need transparency. We need accountability. We need clarity. And above all, we need institutions that understand that their actions have consequences for the credibility of government,” he said.
