Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, says it is erroneous that government has stopped recruitment in the health and educational sectors due to the implementation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programmes.

He said freezing of employment through the IMF programmes has not affected the health and educational sectors, stressing that recruitments in those sectors are on-going.

Mr Iddrisu was addressing a forum in Tamale on the implementation of inclusive education policy for key stakeholders of education in the Northern Region on the theme: “Effective implementation of inclusive education policy and plan in Ghana-the role of key stakeholders.”

The forum was organised by the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), both NGOs as part of the implementation of the Tackling Education Needs Inclusively (TENI) project, aimed at addressing educational challenges.

TENI is a project being implemented by VSO and partners in five districts of the Northern and Upper regions to address educational challenges and improve quality education in rural areas with funding from Comic Relief of UK.

Mr Iddrisu advised district education and health directors to desist from recruiting staff without seeking for financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance.

He explaining that recruitment without clearance has created difficulties for salary payments and a backlog of huge arrears, making it financial imprudent, on the part of government.

He noted that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission is currently auditing more than 3,000 newly recruited staff many of who have questionably and fake certificates.

He urged the public to exercise restraint for the exercise to complete.

Mr Iddrisu indicated that government is considering recruiting teachers with special disabilities and teachers who have completed education in special needs would be considered to ensure effective implementation of the inclusive education policy.

Madam Agnes Gaanda, ISODEC Coordinator for Northern Ghana Programmes, said the project is a systemic one that would transform education through enrolment and retention of pupils in basic schools.

She said ISODEC as part of the implementation of the project has reached more than 8,000 girls with various interventions.

Madam Gaanda said more than 1,000 teachers have been given capacity building skills to ensure that they deliver quality teaching.

She underscored the importance of basic education to quality education.

She noted that the Ghana Education Service lacks funds to finance the implementation of activities in special schools and urged the government to prioritise inclusive education activities in the 26 districts of the region.

Mr Abubakari Abdallah, the Regional Minister said government is committed in tackling education at all levels and the region needs special attention in terms of inclusive education.

He said children with disabilities have the right to access quality education.

He said it is not only a responsibility on the part of government but a moral responsibility to provide quality education devoid of geographical, social and cultural barriers.