Deputy Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ernest Owusu Bempah has chastised the leadership of the striking unions of being propelled to go on strike by selfish and parochial interest.
Mr. Bempah indicated that his intensive investigations have revealed that the unions have tacit agenda for kicking against the new Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Dr. Eric Nkansah, not on the grounds of being a banker as speculated by the unions.
Mr. Bempah has questioned them to come clear on their action and call off the strike for the sake of the helpless school children.
Addressing some journalists in Accra on Thursday, November 10, he said “The strike is unjustified, uncalled for, it is criminal and illegal.
“The unions are misleading the members. What do they know? What have they got to hide? Is it true the reason given that Dr. Nkansah is a banker and that he is not fit to lead the GES? Is it the real truth or they have a big secret that I also know?
“My investigation has stumbled on a mind-blowing exclusive that suggests that the reasons that they giving against Dr. Nkansah are baseless and a cover-up for their alleged criminal activities behind the scenes.
“We all know Dr. Eric Nkansah has been a teacher. What is different that makes them hold the whole nation at ransom because if this trivial matter? I have evidence that goes to suggest that they have another ulterior motive for what they are doing.
“I am calling on all innocent teachers who are being led astray by their so-called gang of seven the Concerned Teachers, who have their own personal interest in this and have tried to convince other teachers to follow the bandwagon to come clear, especially the key leadership. They shouldn’t follow blindly. Our children are innocent and so they should go back to the classroom.”
Meanwhile, the National Labour Commission (NLC) has tasked the teachers to go back to the classroom while they continue their negotiations with the government.
The instruction was given on Wednesday, November 9 after the government dragged the unions to the Commission.
The Government dragged the striking teacher unions to the NLC over their industrial action on Tuesday, November 9.
On Monday, November 7 the leadership of the unions queried their members to continue resting at home because their meeting with the government had yielded no good results.
President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Rev Isaac Owusu said after the maiden day of the meeting on Monday, November 7 that “I can tell you on authority that so far so good we have had a very constructive meeting. The parties have agreed to adjourn and resume tomorrow 2 PM to continue with the deliberations.
“We have not ended the meeting, the agreement here is that the two parties have agreed that we should adjourn and resume tomorrow 2 PM.”
“The teachers should remain calm and continue to stay at home,” he added
GNAT, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT) have announced strike action over the appointment of Dr. Eric Nkansah as the new Director General of Ghana Education (GES).
They declared the industrial action on Friday, November 4.
By Lawrence Odoom