General News of Monday, 8 October 2018

Source: 3news.com

Joshua Akamba chides GES for ‘selling its conscience’ to NPP

Joshua Akamba, NDC Deputy National Organizer Joshua Akamba, NDC Deputy National Organizer

Deputy National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Joshua Hamidu Akamba has accused the Ghana Education Service (GES) of kowtowing to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and doing its bidding.

According to Joshua Akamba, the GES has reduced itself to be used by politicians for their political ambitions.

His comments come on the back of recent happenings in which he is seen in a video instigating some Senior High School students of the Tempane Senior High School to call out President Nana Akufo-Addo on his Free SHS policy, which has allegedly caused congestion in most schools, resulting in causing discomfort among students.

Following the incident and the circulation of the said video on social media, the NDC Deputy Organiser has come under criticism over his action, which many believe is not right.

The headmaster of the Tempane Senior High School was subsequently suspended by GES for allowing Mr. Akamba to turn “the school compound into a political campaign ground”.

Political puppet

Speaking on 3FM‘s Sunrise on Monday, Joshua Akamba said he did not go to the school campus to campaign but he went there based on the request of the frustrated students, who complained of dealing with bedbugs and infrastructural issues.

Asked why he did not get in touch with the GES to get the concerns of the students addressed, he said the GES has failed to ensure due diligence over the years, and has only reduced itself to a political puppet.

“When Ghana Education [Service] themselves have sold their conscience to the NPP? When Nana Akufo-Addo went to the schools, to the toddlers and wore them NPP T-shirts, when Bawumia went to the schools to talk to kids who will not be eligible to vote in the next 20 years, and go to use them to do politics, GES were they in this country?” he questioned.

“They should bow their heads in shame for allowing themselves to be used by politicians. It is not right,” he insisted.

He said he felt bad for the plight of the students, hence his reaction.

The NDC National Organiser aspirant said he has been traumatized by what he saw at the school, and noted that the students do not deserve to go through such treatment in their bid to acquire education.

Commenting on the suspension of the headmaster, Joshua Akamba expressed remorse over the suspension.

“I feel bad, I have sent people to him to go and apologise on my behalf, and I spoke to him.”

Mr. Akamba said he is ready to go every length to ensure that the students’ issues are addressed.