Politicians must not toy with educational reforms

Page 12, Aug 25, 2010

Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Matilda Attram
THE General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has called on politicians not to experiment with the country’s educational reforms in order not to jeopardise the well being of the Ghanaian student.
Expressing concern about the recent amendment of the 2007 Education Reform Policy, which reduced the duration of senior high school from four years to three years, the General Assembly said: "We are of the view that the future of school children in particular and education in general must be of concern to all and policies on education delivery must be tried and tested over a long period before change, so that we avoid undue experimentation of education in the country."
The church expressed the concern in a communiqué adopted at the 10th General Assembly of the church held at Takoradi recently and presented at a press conference in Accra by the Moderator of the church, Right Reverend Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso.
"We have found that most parents, especially in the rural areas, find it difficult to provide the needs of children due to the rising cost of education, "the communiqué said and called on the government to partner with churches to find lasting solutions to challenges facing education in the country.
On the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the communiqué also expressed concern about the reported allegations of mismanagement of funds and encouraged the government to thoroughly investigate these allegations and, if proven, seek justice for the wanton dissipation of state resources.
It, however, called for strenuous efforts to be made to strengthen and sustain the NHIS and insulate it from political interference. Touching on the provision of housing in the country, the church lauded the recent $10 billion STX and government deal to build 200,000 affordable housing units throughout the country and expressed the believe that the initiative would help to reduce the housing deficit and inject massive resources into Ghana's social development economy.
"However, we entreat government to take steps to tie up the knotty issues that were creating tension between government, the Minority in Parliament and other civil society organisations.”
On corruption, the General Assembly of the church said it found it worrying that the country was still struggling with the battle against corruption and asked the government to be passionate in leading a frontal attack on corruption by the application of appropriate sanctions to serve as a deterrent to others.
On governance, the church appreciated Parliament for its contribution to the growth and deepening of democratic governance process. It, however, appealed to the House to expedite the process of alleviating the poverty levels of the people.
The communiqué also commended the executive for its efforts to ensure general peace and stability in the country, particularly measures to curb armed robbery and other serious crimes.
It, however, considered as worrisome the unresolved conflicts in some parts of the northern Ghana.
"We note with satisfaction government efforts to curb the recent spate of indiscipline relating to attacks, seizures and closure of public offices by foot soldiers and supporters of the ruling party and urge the law enforcement agencies to apply the law."
It also touched on the performance of the judiciary and commended the Chief Justice for a good work done. It said, the General Assembly, however, was not happy about the
"seeming culture of delays in the delivery of justice and undue interference in the work of the judiciary by politicians. "We urge the judiciary to make every effort to ensure that cases are speedily tries and disposed off to reduce particularly, the number of accused persons on remand and congestion in prisons," the communiqué stated.
On the Single Spine Salary Structure, the church commended the government for the initiative and explained that even though the policy was fraught with initial problems of distortions and some inequities in assessing salary regimes and job evaluation mechanisms,
it would help in addressing the imbalances in salary administration in the civil and public services.
While commending the media for playing its watchdog role, the communiqué also said the church was not comfortable with the high levels of sensationalism and unprofessionalism in the practice of journalism, particularly by some radio stations.
It said the incidence of pornography on the screen and electronic media was not the best since it was detrimental to the development of the country.
"The General Assembly urges the Ghana Journalists Association to partner with the National Media Commission to facilitate the development and promulgation of the Broadcasting Standards Law to regulate the operation of radio stations.
On the Christian community, the communiqué said the PCG was disturbed by acts of a few Christian leaders, which had brought Christianity into disrepute.
"The General Assemble reiterate its call to the Christian Council of Ghana, the Catholic Bishops Conference, the Ghana Pentecostal Council and the leaders of all other religious denominations to rise up and weed out all such charlatans among their fold."