'When you're not sure, don't speak' – Haruna Iddrisu fires Afenyo-Markin

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has taken a swipe at the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexandar Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, over the latter’s claims of a crisis in the education sector due to the challenges being seen in the ongoing SHS placement and WAEC results.

Speaking in an interview on TV3 on Friday, September 11, 2026, the Minister of Education, who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, asserted that Afenyo-Markin was exaggerating the situation for political benefits.

“And the crisis only happened one and a half years ago. That's interesting. You know, for a Minority Leader, sometimes I reach out to them, and sometimes I give advice. I have always said that compromise is not a weakness, particularly in a democracy. You must give and take, and it's important that we preserve the democratic ethos of our country.

“... The office of the Minority Leader is a very important office. So when you are not sure, don't speak. Have you ever seen me retracting my words? No. When I speak, then I'm certain because the truth must rest with the Minority Leader,” he said.

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He added, “In government, you may fumble; you may struggle because your government is inadequate. For instance, I'm struggling with placement... I would accept that we have come under overwhelming pressure to respond and be responsive to the needs of Ghanaian students and parents, justified, but it does not mean we should exaggerate it as a crisis.”

The Tamale South legislator said that the current challenges, especially the placement into SHS (Senior High Schools), are nothing new and have been happening over the eight years of the Minority Leader's party’s government.

“So when the Honourable Afenyo-Markin says crisis, did that crisis start one and a half years ago? He should provide answers for that,” he added.

BAI

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