ADISCO old students demand answers from GES over interdiction of headmaster

The old boys association of the Adisadel College (ADISCO) in Cape Coast in the Central Region has jumped to the defence of the Headmaster of the school following his interdiction by the Ghana Education Service; describing the interdiction procedure as “an administrative lapse that is unacceptable.” 

The management of the GES interdicted Mr William Kusi-Yeboah  "pending the conclusion of investigations into alleged acts of violations of procedures of the Ghana Education Service".

No clarifications have yet been given by the GES for the action against Mr Kusi-Yeboah, except for a circular saying that he is facing investigations.

The circular, signed and issued on January 4, 2019 by the Director-General of the GES, Professor Kwasi Opoku Amankwa, indicated that the Central Regional Director of Education was to assume temporary responsibility for the management of the school.

He did not give further clarifications on the specific “acts of violations of procedures” allegedly committed by Mr Kusi-Yeboah but said details of the cause of the interdiction would be made public after investigations were concluded on the issues.

The Headmaster of the Nandom SHS in the Upper West Region, Bro. Joachim Naah was, however, relieved of his post for his involvement in illegal admission of students and collection of money from students under the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme.

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However, at a news conference held in Accra on Tuesday, the leadership of the ADISCO Old Boys Association said although they could not prevent the GES from taking disciplinary action against its employees, they saw the interdiction of Mr Kusi-Yeboah, without consultation of the school’s governing council, as a breach of hierarchy.

The President of the association, Mr Kojo Yankah, said the board needed to have been involved in the investigative and other processes that led to the decision to interdict the headmaster of the school.

"We support disciplinary action by the GES against its employees but the manner in which the interdiction was done is an administrative lapse that is unacceptable.

“It came as a big surprise to the governing board of the school because we are not aware that any such action was to be taken against the headmaster. There is a hierarchy for dealing with such issues but this was not followed by the GES,” he said.

Responding to questions from journalists on the alleged use of third party to take decisions on the school without recourse to the GES, he said that was not the case.

“If it is the old boys association that is seen as third party, then it is unfortunate. The old boys of the school have undertaken a number of projects in the school, including the construction of dining halls, classroom blocks, sanitation facilities and conference rooms and so we are key stakeholders that are concerned about the running of the school,” he said.

Mr Yankah called on the GES to be diligent in its investigations by ensuring that the governing board and other key stakeholders of the school were involved in handling the issue.