Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the deputy majority leader, has pleaded with the striking teachers to go back to work after they went on strike to seek the ouster of Dr. Eric Nkansah, the new director-general of the Ghana Education Service.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin claimed on Eyewitness News that the teachers' unjustified strike was "ambushing the future of young Ghanaians who are meant to be in school."
"I believe that Dr. Nkansah is being targeted unfairly by these attacks... I would like to urge the union leadership to take another look at themselves, especially in light of the youngsters.
Since November 4, 2022, the three unions—the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Ghana (CCT)—have been on strike.
They are angry over the appointment because they feel Dr. Nkansah lacks teaching experience.
Their complaints, according to the Deputy Majority Leader, were not serious enough to justify the walkout.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated, "So far, no complaints have been made against him [Dr. Nkansah].
They might be pushing their luck a little too far. We shouldn't strain our shoulders over this issue.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin continued, "They will have to, in all humility, accept the individual, give him the chance, and assess his competency from there."
He also believed that Dr. Nkansah's varied background, which includes both academia and banking, should make the teachers happy.
To terminate the walkout, negotiations have begun between the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and the teachers.
The issues raised by the instructors have not yet been addressed in their discussions.