Former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Suame Municipality, Maxwell Ofosu Boakye, has called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to urgently implement its 2024 campaign promises to teachers.
According to Mr. Ofosu Boakye, several commitments made by the NDC to teachers while in opposition remain unfulfilled despite the party winning the 2024 general elections.
Speaking on GHOne TV’s current affairs political talk show, the former Suame MCE said the NDC’s manifesto contained specific promises aimed at improving the welfare and working conditions of teachers.
He cited the party’s pledge to ensure timely and automatic promotion for teachers once they become due for promotion.
“This promise is captured in the NDC manifesto and was trumpeted by President Mahama while in opposition, but he has not delivered after winning power,” he lamented.
Mr. Ofosu Boakye also criticised the government over the continued conduct of the Licensure Examination for teachers.
He said the NDC promised to scrap the examination but had yet to fulfil the commitment.
“You promised teachers that they were not going to write the Licensure Examination. They are paying more than they used to pay before they can even sit for the examinations. You promised you were going to scrap national service for teachers. How can a teacher trust you when you cannot do these basic things you promised teachers ahead of the 2024 elections?” he asked.
On housing, the former MCE said the NDC had also promised mortgage assistance to enable teachers to acquire homes but had not demonstrated sufficient progress in fulfilling that pledge.
“The NDC talked about mortgage assistance to teachers to buy houses. You haven’t delivered just one of such promises in your manifesto. Must teachers believe the NDC?” he questioned.
He further challenged the government to account for its promise to make cars affordable and accessible to teachers.
“What has the NDC done about the affordable cars promise they made to teachers? How many have the NDC delivered to teachers so far? Not even one,” he alleged.
According to Mr. Ofosu Boakye, the failure of the government to address these concerns is contributing to the continued industrial action by teachers despite assurances from the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu.
He argued that the teachers’ refusal to return to the classroom demonstrates their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of their concerns.
Mr. Ofosu Boakye also raised concerns about the feeding arrangements for teacher trainees.
He claimed that under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration led by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, teacher trainees were provided with three meals a day.
“But now they are fed once a day. You are doing this and you are telling teachers you have their interest at heart?” he asked.
The former Suame MCE accused the NDC government of worsening the conditions of Ghanaian teachers compared with what it inherited from the previous administration.
He therefore urged the government to take immediate steps to fulfil its campaign promises to teachers, arguing that doing so would help restore confidence and address some of the concerns underlying the current labour dispute.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
