GES Fueling ‘Avoidable Disaffection’ for Government – Edem Agbana

According to the MP, the Service’s actions and communication on the matter could create unnecessary public dissatisfaction with the government.

In a statement, Mr. Agbana warned that the GES risks becoming a source of what he described as “avoidable disaffection” for the government if it fails to provide clear answers about its relationship with Prospectus Ghana.

“The GES is increasingly becoming a source of avoidable disaffection for our government,” he said.

His comments follow a statement issued by GES in response to concerns surrounding an arrangement involving the NCPTA and Prospectus Ghana.

GES maintained that the NCPTA had not been authorised to represent the Service, public schools, parents or students in commercial agreements.

The Service further disclosed that it has a separate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Prospectus Ghana to introduce the company’s educational products and services to schools.

However, GES stressed that the purchase of the products under the arrangement is voluntary and that the MoU does not make the products compulsory for schools, parents or students.

Agbana demands publication of MoU

Mr. Agbana has called on GES to make the agreement with Prospectus Ghana public so that Ghanaians can independently determine the terms of the arrangement.

He wants the Service to clarify exactly what products are covered by the agreement and whether Prospectus Ghana was granted any authority to promote or distribute its products within public schools.

The MP also questioned why Prospectus Ghana had allegedly created the impression that it had the authority to introduce or impose products on parents and students if the GES maintains that purchases are entirely voluntary.

He further asked whether other businesses that sell educational materials are required to sign similar agreements with GES before introducing their products to schools.

“If yes, what is the process and who else has received such approval? If no, why was an MoU necessary in this particular case?” he questioned.

Mr. Agbana argued that these concerns require more than a general press statement and called for greater openness from the education authorities.

Call for clarity to parents and schools

The MP urged GES to communicate directly and clearly to schools, parents and students that purchasing products from Prospectus Ghana is not mandatory.

He also called on the Service to take appropriate action if it is established that Prospectus Ghana went beyond the terms of its agreement.

Mr. Agbana stressed that public institutions must be mindful of how their decisions and actions affect the credibility of the government.

“We need transparency. We need accountability. We need clarity,” he said.

GES, in the statement referenced by Mr. Agbana, did not specifically address his demand for the publication of the MoU or clarify whether similar agreements exist between the Service and other educational suppliers.

The controversy follows reports of an arrangement involving the NCPTA and Prospectus Ghana to market and sell educational products across about 200 schools.

The debate has since raised broader questions about the authority of parent associations, the role of GES in commercial arrangements involving schools and the need for transparency in agreements affecting parents and students.