Editorial: Sharpened teeth, lies

When a list of contributors to the sorry state of the country’s educational sector and indeed governance comes to be compiled, Okudjeto Ablakwa’s name will be prominent.

Not only will he be mentioned, but he would also attract a footnote, considering his litany of disservice to education.


With nothing soothing to tell Ghanaians as they lick the wounds inflicted by the abysmal West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, all he could do was spew nonsense and complicate matters further.


For someone whose name is synonymous with lies and dishonesty, many were not surprised when he said the worst results under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government is the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) best when the latter party was in power.


It was one of his worst dishonest remarks and will seek to follow him wherever he goes—even after his sojourn on the political terrain.


We would not allow such political misfits to discourage us from our resolve to highlight the shortcomings militating against good governance and under the circumstances, quality education in the country.


One professor told a radio station on Thursday when the university and polytechnic teachers’ strike action issue was laid before him. While condemning government’s handling of the fracas, the university don added, “What should we expect when persons like Okudzeto Ablakwa are those who advise government on education.”

We are unable to dissociate ourselves from the position of the professor, given the state of education today and the fact that persons like the man under review are the political heads at the education ministry.


Recalling his announcement that polytechnic lecturers would lose their salaries and his eventual failure to make good the promise, is a manifestation of his disorganised state as well as the government of which he is a part.


Now the teachers have had their way. Where is Ablakwa and his sharp teeth? Governance is a serious business and not about reckless statements by novices.


We would have thought that so many months after the phantom creation of 1,600,000 jobs in the country, the gentleman would have learnt his lessons and be guided by the fallout from the record lie. He still does not get it: being associated with lying takes so much from one’s integrity. Perhaps for Ablakwa, integrity is nothing, provided he holds unto a ministerial appointment under a government which has lost the confidence of the people.


What does someone in the Education Ministry seek to achieve by such an allusion when the issue at stake is how to reverse the appalling examination results without pushing the subject into the political realm?


Time will tell when the Ablakwas would be lodged on the dark chapters of the country’s history—their negative contribution to society being their strong spots.