We acknowledge your role in educational delivery - Haruna Iddrisu tells churches

The government has acknowledged the profound impact of the Church on education, from the pre-independence era through independence to the post-independence period.

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, who stated this, said the Church had remained a reliable, dependable partner of the state in the provision of education.

“I want you to know that the state appreciates that and President John Mahama appreciates that,” he said, adding that the government was looking forward to a stronger bond.  

Governing councils

The minister stated this when he inaugurated the governing councils of 10 colleges of education in Accra last Friday.

The colleges are the Akatsi College of Education, Dambai College of Education, St Francis College of Education, Foso College of Education, Our Lady of Apostles College of Education, Holy Child College of Education, Kibi College of Education, Presbyterian Women’s College of Education, Seventh Day Adventist College of Education, Asokore-Koforidua and St Louis College of Education.

Mr Iddrisu thanked the council members for accepting to serve the country and to support President John Dramani Mahama's reset agenda.

He said it had come to his attention that some colleges were still using vehicles from 2004–2005, and assured them that, where possible, their concerns would be addressed urgently.

Overlaps

Mr Iddrisu directed the GTEC to address overlaps in the implementation of the teacher trainee allowances and the “No Fees Stress” policy.

He underscored the government’s commitment to sustaining both policies, despite the huge financial burden they posed on the state.

He disclosed that the government was expected to spend between GH¢400 million and GH¢500 million annually to keep the initiatives running.
Invitation to collaborate

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi, who is also the Chairman of the St Louis Governing Council, Most Rev. Gabriel Justice Anokye, said in the constitution, the principles of state policy, was that, “we are invited to collaborate with the government, not only in education, agriculture, politics, economy, but in all policies we are invited to collaborate.

“So, we are very glad to be given this opportunity by the government, by the Honourable Minister, through the President, to serve Mother Ghana in this way. We pray that we do that holistically.

“The fear of God is what we bring on board, not only academics, not only academia, not only the brain, but the brain and the heart, the hand, the legs,” he said.