MOESS declares war on communities, which harass teachers

Kwame Danso (B/A), July 2, GNA- The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports has cautioned that it would henceforth take drastic measures against communities, which would harass or intimidate teachers in the course of discharging their duties.

Mr. Kwame Ampofo Twumasi, a Deputy Minister of the sector Ministry, who gave the warning, said the Ministry, had in recent times received reports of harassment of teachers in some parts of the country adding that people in such communities would have themselves to blame if the practice continued.

The Deputy Minister was speaking at an awards ceremony for teachers in Kwame Danso in the Sene District of the Brong-Ahafo region. Mr. Twumasi said "we would be left with no other option than to withdraw the services of such unfortunate teachers if that was the only way to ensure their protection in these communities." He said as a result of the persistent harassment of teachers in the area, most of the professionals either refused postings to the place or were performing below expectation.

Mr. Twumasi urged parents, opinion leaders and other stakeholders to initiate measures to eliminate the practices and to facilitate teaching and learning and reminded Ghanaians that education was the bedrock of national development.

Mrs. Akua Debrah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Education, appealed to teachers to uphold the code of ethics of their profession. She charged communities to endeavour to provide adequate accommodation for newly posted teachers to enable them to work assiduously to improve the standard of education in the area. Madam Cynthia Titiriku Danso, Chief Executive for Sene, said the assembly would work hard to complement government's efforts at motivating teachers.

In all 25 teachers were presented with awards which included bicycles, refrigerators, television sets and certificates of merit. 12 July 07