...of an institution that despises change

Accra, March 23, GNA- Paapa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of Education, Science and Sports, on Thursday asked the Ghana Education Service (GES) to shed its image of an institution not amenable to change. The Minister thus tasked the staff of the service to "lend yourselves to transformation to accelerate the country's growth." He was speaking at a reception organized by the GES Council to acknowledge the contributions of past Director-Generals and Deputy Director Generals of the Service in Accra.

Papa Ankomah asked, "What should be the future of the GES? Should it continue to be an institution that does not easily lend itself to change? Should it be an institution that most staff believe nothing can be changed? Or should be an institution that nobody is held accountable when things go wrong?

He said: "We should resolve to make a difference......if we cannot make a difference, then the country cannot be transformed because education is what would give us this transformation we want." Paapa Ankomah commended the past Director-Generals and Deputy Director-Generals of the GES for their selfless contributions to the nation and their efforts at reforming Ghana's educational system adding "It is important that we recognize those who served this country diligently, faithfully and conscientiously."

The Minister asked the Director-Generals and Deputy Director-Generals to continue to contribute to national development, especially in transforming the GES even though there had retired from active service.

He said "When one's work is not appreciated, it does not motivate others to work hard" adding that it was important that the works of past GEC officials inspired those currently in service.

The retired top civil servants included Mr Micheal Nsowah, immediate past Director-General of the GES, who retired last year, Ms. Lydia Akua Osei, Deputy Director-General who was in Charge of Management Services from 2002 to 2006, the Very Reverend Ama Afo Blay, Director-General in 2002, Mr John Budu-Smith, who acted as the Director-General in 2001 and Mr Henry Ofori Awuah who was the Deputy Director-General in charge of Quality and Access between 2001 and 2003. The GES Council made presentations to them in appreciation to their service to the GES.

Mr Nsowah on behalf of his colleagues expressed gratitude for the honour done them, adding that they would continue to be of service to the nation when called upon to do so.