Dr Eric Nkansah's selection as the new Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has been rejected by the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT).
According to the organization, the new appointee is a banker without any prior teaching experience. Consequently, they are dissatisfied with his appointment.
On October 20, the President of NAGRAT, Mr Angel Carbonou, said in a statement to a press conference in Accra that teachers were hoping someone with experience in education would be appointed so that they could contribute their knowledge.
According to him, this appointment shows that Ghana lacks skilled teaching experts to staff its educational system.
Mr Carbonou stated that they are both irritated and shocked by Dr Nkansah's appointment.
He said "What annoyed and surprised all of us was that a new Director General has been appointed to the Ghana Education Service.
"The authority to appoint Director General of GES is the President of the land. Unfortunately, contrary to what the teacher unions indicated that we will 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 the 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 GES. 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.”
Dr Eric Nkansah was appointed Wednesday as the next Director-General of the GES by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The appointment becomes effective on October 19, 2022, a Wednesday.
"I take this opportunity to congratulate you formally on your appointment. Kindly indicate your acceptance or otherwise of this appointment within 14 days of receipt of this letter," a statement signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante said.
Immediately following Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa's dismissal from his position, this appointment was made.
In a letter to the Office of the President, the Ministry of Education said that the circumstances that called for Prof. Opoku-Amankwa's talents and knowledge no longer exist. The letter was dated Monday, October 17, 2022.
"Accordingly, the President of the Republic has instructed that your secondment be terminated forthwith, and you are directed to return to your position at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology."