Why Is GES Repeating the Same Mistake with Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis’s Appointment? This is the question posed by Hon. Jerry Akporhor, the lead at Informed Teachers Network following the appointment of Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis as the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service.
He writes…
When Dr. Eric Nkansah was appointed as Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), it was as though a bomb had gone off. Teacher unions revolted, calling it unfair and illegal. Their argument was clear: this position is the highest rank a teacher within GES can aspire to. Why then was someone who had never worked in the GES brought in to take that enviable role? The unions went as far as to strike, forgetting one crucial point—the scheme of service allows for such appointments. Their strike? Completely baseless.
Fast forward to today, and here we are again with another outsider, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, who has been appointed as Director-General. Let’s not sugarcoat this—Prof. Davis is highly qualified. His academic achievements are impressive, no doubt. But has he worked a day in the GES? No. So, what message are we sending to hardworking teachers who have climbed through the ranks of the service? That no matter how hard they work, this top position is always up for grabs by an outsider.
This is not just unfair; it’s insulting. GES has hundreds of experienced professionals, including regional and district directors, who are more than capable of taking on this role. These are people who understand the system inside out and have worked tirelessly to improve education in Ghana. Yet, they continue to be overlooked. Why? because there’s a loophole in the service scheme that allows outsiders to be appointed.
Let’s call this what it is—a slap in the face of every GES staff member. When the unions opposed Dr. Nkansah’s appointment, they were ridiculed, yet their concerns were valid. Now we’re seeing the same scenario play out again. How many times will this happen before someone realizes the damage it’s doing to the morale of GES staff?
Yes, Prof. Davis is a scholar. But does being a professor make him more qualified than someone who has dedicated decades of their life to the service? Leadership in education is not just about academics; it’s about understanding the system, the challenges, and the people within it. Bringing in someone from outside every few years undermines the very foundation of the GES.
And here’s the irony—those who screamed “illegal” when Dr. Nkansah was appointed are now silent. Why? Is it because they think Prof. Davis fits their political agenda? Let’s stop the hypocrisy. If the unions were serious about fairness, they would raise the same concerns now as they did then. But it seems this time, everyone is playing politics.
The bigger question is, should GES staff even bother aspiring to this position anymore? Maybe it’s time they accepted that the Director-General role is no longer for them. It’s for outsiders—academics, politicians, and anyone else the government deems fit.
This isn’t just about one appointment; it’s about the future of GES. If we continue down this path, we risk creating a system in which GES staff feel undervalued and demotivated. In the end, the students suffer.
READ: Download 2025 BECE Timetable (Projected)
Let’s stop pretending this is okay. It’s not. GES staff deserve better. They deserve leadership that understands their struggles because they’ve lived it. Until we prioritize that, we’ll keep repeating the same mistakes. And trust me, the consequences will not be pretty.
Source: ✍️ Jerry Akporhor