MoE explains why a banker was appointed new GES Director

The Ministry of Education following the teacher unions’ decision to reject the appointment of Eric Nkansah as the new (Ghana Education Service) GES Director has said it’s not the work of union leaders to decide who they want.

The Ministry’s comment comes after the President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) citing the newly appointed Director-General has no teaching-related background said the unions oppose his appointment.

Angel Carbonu speaking to journalists at a press briefing said teachers were hoping that someone who has a background in education would be appointed to head the Education Service to bring his or her expertise to bear.

“This appointment is an indication that there are no qualified teaching professionals to man education in Ghana. What annoyed and surprised all of us was that a new Director General has been appointed to the GES,” he told the media.

Mr Carbonu continued that “we want a Director General who is a professional teacher, who has passed through the mill and can bring his knowledge, skills and influence to bear on the activities of teachers and non-teachers in GES.”

“Contrary to that, the gentleman who was appointed yesterday is not a teacher, he is a banking officer, who was a special assistant in the office of the Minister and has been appointed as the DG of the Ghana Education Service.

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,” the Association President stressed.

But the spokesperson for the Education Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng reacting to the teacher unions’ controversy has said not only an individual who has had a teaching career can manage the Ghana Education Service (GES).

In a social media post sighted by AcademicWeek, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) said The role of a Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) goes beyond teaching adding that it is more administrative.”

READ: Profile of new GES Director-General, Dr. Eric Nkansah

“Besides, not everyone within the Ghana Education Service space is a teacher (non-teaching staff). What happens to them assuming such logic is to be sustained?” the Ministry in charge of Education spokesman quizzed teacher unions.