The decision of the government of Ghana to grant extension of service to the Deputy Director of the Ghana Education Service in Charge of Management service, Mr. Anthony Boateng, continue to attraction reactions from notable stakeholders in and out of the educational community since the letter from the presidency was leaked to the public a week ago
Professor Eprahim Avea Nsoh of the University of Education, Ajumako has disclosed that Mr. Anthony Boateng is only been used as a scapegoat due to either political reasons or personal reasons by some other officers who equally qualify to take over from him but are denied the opportunity due to his continues stay in office after attaining the retirement age.
The Educationist and politician while speaking on the issue on the Word Community Watch Show on Word FM in Zuarungu, said the case of Mr. Anthony Boateng is not an isolated one because there are many in various departments, ministries and agencies that have attained the mandatory retirement age but are still holding on to their offices.
“Maybe, it is because of our usual politics or because some people who are in the cue to succeed him feel denied the opportunity as a result of Mr. Boateng’s continues stay in office, that is why this document has been leaked and we are discussing it.”
“But if you go to every department and ministries, from the ministry of finance, Education or Ministry of lands , this phenomenon is common.”
Prof. Avea Nson wondered why it is only the case of Anthony Boateng that is attracting public outcry when even at the same ministry, there are other people who have attained the mandatory retirement age but are still holding on to their offices?
” Why is it the contract extension of Mr. Anthony Boateng that has attracted this public outcry and discussion? If you get to the same ministry of education, there are people like Anthony Boateng who have attained the mandatory retirement age but are still holding on to their offices? he is in government and is equally paid with state funds just like the others”
He has therefore advised government to abide strictly with the law that require public office holders to retire at a certain age in other to avoid these phenomenon.
” So what government should do to avoid this phenomenon is to go by the requirements of the law which requires public office holders to retire at a certain age.”
The director of Institute of Educational Research Innovation studies has also called on the Deputy Director General, Mr. Anthony Boateng to take a bow out of his office to safe his image.
“if I’m him, I will quietly bow out for his successor to take over from him because I feel they want to destroy his image and retirement. He can be given other roles like a consultant by government where he will still receive the same salary to enable him help complete whatever project that government is implementing.”
The secretary to the president in a letter dated 19th August, 2022, extended the service of the deputy director of education in charge of management service for one year after he attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
The contract extension by the president didn’t go down well with the pre-tertiary teacher Unions. They have called on Mr. Boateng to decline the offer of the contract extension and called on government to relief all senior office holders at the service that have attained the mandatory retirement age.
They have also threatened not to comply with any directive from Mr. Boateng if he fails to bow out of office by 30th September, 2022.
Meanwhile officials at the Ghana Education Service has defended the contract extension of Mr. Anthony Boateng, insisting that his expertise is key to “implementing what we started together “
By: Simon Agana Blessing/mywordfmonline.com.