Education Minister has difficulty with his communication - Baako

Even though the Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is doing well (in terms of performance), he sometimes has difficulty with his communication, according to Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr.

The Education Minister who is popularly known as Napo is reported to have accused the striking teachers of allowing the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to influence them.

Napo in an interview on Asempa FM's 'Ekosii Sen' program allegedly said per credible information available to him some NDC members met with some teacher groups to plan the strike.

The Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper who was speaking on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' said Napo’s 'communication was uncalled for'.

"When you are negotiating with people who are agitating, sometimes communication is critical, how you go about it is critical, especially who you are and what you are also must impact on how you say it, where you say and when you say it. So to be honest when I heard that statement . . . he has difficulty I think with his communication sometimes, his emotional reaction and so on, he has to take that on board. Especially when the agitation is ongoing, is unfolding. . . how you communicate is also very important and so that aspect is a minus for him," he added.

Background

Three teachers union, Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers declared a nationwide strike effective today (Monday) over the failure of government to pay legacy arrears of members.

The aggrieved teachers argue that the arrears span the period 2012 to 2016 – a situation they described as worrying.

GES response

The Ghana Education Service (GES) expressed surprise at the teachers’ decision to strike on Monday.

According to GES, the industrial action declared by the teachers is illegal and “an abuse of the principle of good faith and good working relations”.

In a statement, the Service argued that it has held a series of meetings with the leadership of the teacher groups, where it discussed the payment of the said arrears, with the modalities involved, adding that the December 5, 2019 ultimatum given by the teachers was not realistic.