Three teacher unions-Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Graduate Association of Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Education Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG)-have condemned comments attributed to Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka over the falsification of WASSCE certificates.
This follows comments reportedly made by the Minister on Wednesday, September 9, during the opening of classroom facilities at Asokore Mampong Roman Catholic School in the Ashanti Region.
According to the unions, Mr Muntaka announced the dismissal and blacklisting of several security service recruits who had allegedly used forged or doctored WASSCE results.
However, in a joint statement, the three teacher unions said the Minister went further to suggest that the falsification of WASSCE results should have been attributed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) and teachers rather than the security services.
They strongly rejected the suggestion, describing the remarks as “unfortunate, offensive, misguided, vicious, derogatory, and irresponsible.”
The unions said applicants seeking to enter the GES are required to meet specific academic and professional requirements, including holding relevant educational qualifications, completing National Service and possessing a valid National Teaching Council teaching licence.
They added that applicants’ certificates and other documents are subjected to “rigorous checks and audit at the institutions that awarded the said certificate(s).”
The unions said teachers would not accept being made scapegoats for forged certificates.
“Our teachers cannot be made scapegoats or guinea pigs by any government appointee,” they stated.
They also urged Muntaka to retract his comments and apologise to teachers.
“We hereby urge Hon. Muntaka, the benefit of hindsight to do the needful by retracting and apologizing to Teachers,” the statement said.
