Teachers' Coalition For Good Governance : Press Release

Source: Teachers' Coalition For Good Governance  -  22nd February, 2014.

In solidarity with the pressure group Concerned Ghanaians, an umbrella group representing the interests of teachers, Teachers' Coalition for Good Governance (TCGG), will take to the streets of Kumasi and other cities and towns to demonstrate against the ongoing erratic power supply plaguing the country and the refusal of the government to reduce fuel prices despite a drastic drop in prices worldwide. TCGG shall also demonstrate in protest of the victimisation and unfair treatment being given to teachers in the Ashanti Region who are perceived to be averse to government. In parallel with our Concerned Ghanaians allies, we intend to demonstrate on Independence Day, 6th March...

As educators of the next generation of our future leaders, we strongly feel it is our civic and moral duty to draw to the attention of our current leaders, that this 'dumsor' crisis is sabotaging our educational institutions – from kindergarten to the university.

One does not need to be told that the country is living in the dark ages, both literally and metaphorically. In this 21st Century, it is ridiculous that Ghana cannot produce the electricity required to meet its needs.

The now persistent lack of electricity has rendered teachers unable to adequately prepare lesson notes for class, relying on candlelight, torches, paraffin lights and other primitive forms of electrical power.

Thanks to our history teachers, every Ghanaian child has learnt about the Akosombo Dam. It is a sad fact that in the fifty (50) plus years since its completion, our power generating capacity has barely been upgraded. Yet we hark back to this achievement because successive governments have done virtually nothing to upgrade our power capacity since then.

As a nation, we are not progressing and our future looks bleak. What will our history teachers be teaching our grandchildren hundred (100) years after independence? A history of progress, or of failure and hardship?

In this day and age, it is an absolute disgrace that students have to learn by candlelight, or worse, by moonlight, in order to study in the evening. Students are failing to complete assignments due to inadequate light. In their homes, halls and dormitories students are unable to conduct any meaningful research or serious study.

In cases where assignments have been completed, this has only been due to iterant students moving to neighborhoods that may be lucky enough to have electrical power on a particular occasion.

A lack of lighting and power has frequently forced closures of tertiary and secondary schools, not to mention libraries, laboratories and other resource centers.

Security of students has also been compromised, as recent reported occurrences of burglaries and attempted rapes would attest to.

The foul stench of decomposing food pervading student kitchens is increasingly becoming commonplace, as a lack of power renders refrigerators useless. Additionally, students are forced to spend their meager financial resources on food on a daily basis, due to the fact that they are unable to store food in their refrigerators.

What government, worth its name can allow this to happen under its watch?

Teaching and learning have severely been compromised. Any serious government worth any substance would deal with this power crisis with alacrity. It is becoming increasingly evident that we do not have a serious government. In another 50 years, we cannot continue to teach students about the Akosombo Dam as our only major infrastructural achievement. We need an immediate action to address this crisis, and we need it now!

In the Ashanti Region, the government is replacing experienced teachers with unqualified teachers who happen to be government sympathisers. While the government prioritises the next election over education; Teachers Coalition believes that the future of our children is being sacrificed for electoral aspirations. What on God's earth have our children done to deserve this - to be placed on the altar of political machinations? Is it because these children happen to be born or reside in Ashanti Region? This is a practice we find completely unacceptable and inimical to national development.

Due to the perpetual state of crisis that this government has plunged the nation into, it does not deserve the salute of any student or teacher on 6th March.

We therefore call on all teachers and students across the length and breadth of this country, to join us, together with Concerned Ghanaians, as we collectively register our utmost dissatisfaction with the status quo. Arise, come out and join this protest to secure the future of our dear nation.

Martha Kodua, 0244967074 / Frank Amoako, 0244724752 / Benard Barffour Gyawu, 024 484 0157 /
Frank Ntiamoah, 0246384366 / Alex Nyamekye, 0243269139