The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations has invited the three teacher Unions, GNAT, NAGRAT and CCT-GH to a meeting over the threat to embark on industrial action if the appointment of the acting Director General of the Ghana Education Service , Dr. Eric Nkansah is not reversed.
Government on the 19th October, 2022 in a press release, announced that the president has appointed Dr. Eric Nkanasah to act as Director General of the Ghana Education.
“Pursuant to section 19(1),(2),(a) and (b), of the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020(Act 1049), I am pleased to inform you that the president has appointed you to act as Director General of the Ghana Education Service (the “service”) pending receipt of the constitutionally required advice of the governing council of the service.”
The three teachers unions expressed dissatisfaction at the news and called on the government to reverse the decision. The teacher Unions argued that there were more qualified directors with many years of experience at the Ghana Education Service headquarters who could be appointed to man the service as has been the practice, instead of bringing in an outsider to Lord over them.
The Unions followed up with a press conference on 28th October, 2022 where they gave the government a one week ultimatum to reverse the appointment of the new Director General since it goes contrary to the tenants of their Collective Agreement and procedure of appointment in the service.
“The dismissal of the Director General a d the subsequent appointment of a new Director General goes contrary to the tenants of our Collective Agreement and appointment procedure of appointing Director General of the service; a manifestation of lack of confidence and disregard to established scheme of service and progression within the GES.”
The NAGRAT in a separate press release, added that the appointment of Dr. Eric Nkansah suggests that teachers are only made for the classroom but not capable of managing the service.
“Dr. Eric Nkansah’s appointment suggets to us that teachers are reduced to only the classroom workers but not capable of managing the service, NAGRAT takes exception to these”
The group further gave the government one week to revoke the appointment of the new Director General to ensure industrial harmony.
With a day to go for the expiration of the ultimatum which ends tomorrow, 4th October, 2022, the Ministry of Employment and labour Relations has invited the teacher Unions to a meeting on the 4th October 2022 to avoid a possible strike action by the teacher groups.
By: Simon Agana Blessing/mywordfmonline.com