Ghana: Teachers demonstrate in solidarity with demoted colleague

Media Foundation for West Africa

A group of teachers in the Tema Municipality in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana on November 15, 2007 threatened to embark on an indefinite strike, should the Ghana Education Service (GES) fail to reinstate Helen Abrokwa, former head teacher of Padmore Street Primary School who has been demoted for granting interview to the media.
On September 18 the GES, in a letter signed by the Tema Municipal Director of Education, transferred and demoted Abrokwa, who had had more than 30 years of experience in teaching to leave her administrative position and resume classroom duties for disclosing the low enrolment at the start of the new academic year to the media.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent reported the teachers issued the threat during a protest march to demand Mrs. Abrokwa’s unconditional reinstatement. The protesters, about 500, also condemned the action of the GES, describing it as a violation of the terms and conditions of the service.
The transfer and subsequent demotion of Abrokwa followed an earlier threat against another education professional. The GES nearly transferred James Okaija Dinsey, the Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, for speaking to the media.

Following the demotion, there have been several calls for the GES to rescind their decision but to no avail.

MFWA is deeply concerned about GES’s refusal to reinstate the teacher.

Kwame Karikari, Prof.
Executive Director MFWA Accra
Tel: 233-21-24 24 70
Fax: 233-21-22 10 84
Email: [email][email protected]
Website : www.mediafound.org