The government has identified a payment discrepancy involving the Accountant-General’s Department, the Finance Ministry and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) as the key issue delaying efforts to resolve the ongoing teachers’ strike.
Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the relevant institutions are working to close the gap and facilitate the return of teachers to the classroom.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, the Abura Asebu-Kwamankese Member of Parliament said there was a difference between information from the Accountant-General’s Department and the Finance Ministry and figures provided by the Ghana Statistical Service.
Also read: BoG could resume policy rate cuts in November if fuel pressures ease – Databank
“I think there is some gap between what the Accountant-General and the Minister of Finance have done and what the GSO said, so it is that gap that needs to be closed,” he said.
The comments come after pre-tertiary teachers withdrew their services, disrupting teaching and learning in schools across the country.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu said President John Mahama has been briefed on the situation and has directed that all necessary steps be taken to resolve the impasse.
“He has instructed that every necessary action be taken to ensure that teachers go back to the classroom.”
“Government values the contributions of teachers, and teachers are highly valued, highly respected human resources, and because of their importance, one can ill afford for them to withdraw their services over any extended period of time,” he said.
According to Mr Kwakye Ofosu, both the Finance Ministry and the Accountant-General’s Department maintain that they have completed the steps required of them regarding the payments.
He stressed that the government remains committed to paying affected teachers once the outstanding differences are resolved.
“The accountant, you now assume that, as far as he is concerned, the list of teachers that he has received, he is affected by payments,” he said.
He added that the government’s commitment to resolving the matter remains intact, but clarity must first be established and the differences between the relevant institutions addressed.
“So he shows that government is committed to doing what has to be done, except that clarity has to be brought to the process, and all the differences ironed out,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu said.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu said resolving the dispute remains a priority and expressed confidence that the matter could be addressed within days.
“Once that is done, government has to meet its commitment, so we will meet it,” he said.
He indicated that presidential intervention could be considered if discussions among the relevant institutions reach a deadlock.
For now, however, he said responsibility for resolving the issue rests with the Education Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Controller.
“But at the moment, I believe that it is within the purview of the Education Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and the Controller to address this, and I know that efforts are ongoing to achieve just that,” he said.
The government’s efforts are aimed at resolving the payment discrepancy and ending the strike so that pre-tertiary teachers can resume teaching.
Myjoyonline