Teacher unions react to ex-GES Prof Amankwa’s dismissal

Following President Nana Akufo-Addo’s dismissal of Prof Amankwa as the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), teacher unions have described His Excellency’s move as disappointing, worrying and surprising.

Speaking in a radio interview monitored by AcademicWeek, the President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbonu said the development has left members of the union overwhelmingly aggrieved.

“This is very disappointing. We are surprised because we had someone who was able to build a very positive relationship and rapport with the union”, the Association of Graduate Teachers President, Mr Carbonu said.

But the National Executive Director of Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS), Enoch Kwasi Gyetuah on his part has said the sacking of the former Ghana Education Service (GES) Director-General was long overdue.

“His dismissal was long overdue, next time he would appreciate that we serve people with dignity and respect. Next time will not say private school students who want to go to Category A SHS should write entrance exams,” he stated.

Professor Amankwa’s dismissal was announced in a letter from the Office of the Presidency indicating the exigencies that required his skills and expertise as Director-General of the Ghana Education Service do not exist any longer.

“The Ministry of Education (MoE) has informed this Office (Presidency) that the exigencies that required your skills and expertise as Director-General of the Ghana Education Service do not exist any longer

The President thanks you for your service to the nation and wishes you the very best in your future endeavours”, the letter from the Office of the Akufo-Addo signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante stated.

Mr Kwasi Opoku Amankwa took over the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) position from Mr Jacob Kor who served as the Director-General of the Education Service from January 2015 to April 2017.

Before he was appointed Director-General of GES, he held several positions at both national and international levels including Dean of the Faculty of Art, Vice Dean and Head of the Department of Publishing at KNUST.

After a series of higher education, the Professor was appointed lecturer at the KNUST in 1999 and by dint of hard work, he was promoted to senior lecturer 10 years afterwards and became an Associate Professor in 2014.