Bolgatanga, (Upper East Region) 23, Sept. The government has been called upon to appreciate the contributions of all stakeholders to ensure the success of the education reform programme. Mr. Edward Naaso, national president of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), said this at the third Upper East Region triennial delegates conference of GNAT at Bolgatanga. The theme of the two-day conference is ”the teaching profession in the 21st century: prospects and challenges”. Mr. Naaso said management and decision-making on issues affecting the future direction of education should be such as to promote the involvement of all actors. He appealed to government to study closely problems on the quality, quantity and cost sharing in education in order to find a lasting and compromising alternatives. He acknowledged the need for cost sharing but said it should not rpt not be privatized completely to the disadvantage of those who cannot bear the full costs. Mr. Naaso called for more stringent selection methods in recruiting teachers and assured the delegates of GNAT’s commitment towards strengthening its local offices to respond to the needs of teachers. He advised them to show more commitment and professionalism in their conduct and attitudes to work in order to win the respect of Ghanaians. Mr. Naaso urged government to take decisive steps to reduce widespread poverty among the people and ensure the rule of law and good governance. He said the decentralisation process should be speeded up to bring about efficient management of resources at the local level. ”There is the need for bold and definitive policies aimed at making agriculture an engine of growth”. Mr. Naaso said new policies must be geared towards improving education, health, agriculture and economic activities in the rural areas.
