Ranking Member of Parliament's Education Committee, Dr Clement Apaak has clarified that former President John Mahama is not oblivious of the challenges faced by teachers, nor has he claimed ignorance of their working conditions.
According to him, Mr Mahama is committed to addressing the issues confronting teachers in their professional duties if elected as president in the upcoming general elections.
Speaking on JoyNews' Top Story on Monday, February 12, Dr Apaak argued that it would be unreasonable for the former President to make promises regarding the improvement of teachers' conditions of service without a comprehensive understanding of the nation's financial situation.
"I think the prudent thing to do is what John Mahama has said. He is not saying he’s averse to the challenges that teachers face, neither is he oblivious to their conditions of service," Dr. Apaak stated.
His remarks come after the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2024 general elections stated that he would not engage in empty promises during his campaign, criticising the governing New Patriotic Party for doing so in their pursuit for power.
While Mr Mahama acknowledged he could not promise immediate salary increments for teachers, he expressed awareness of the difficulties faced by educators, especially those in the pre-tertiary sector.
On the back of this, Dr Apaak emphasised that the former President will evaluate the nation's financial status upon assuming the presidency, involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process to address the challenges teachers face.
"What he has said is that when he gets the opportunity to become the president, he will open up the books, he will invite all stakeholders - let’s all take a look at the national coffers. Then, depending on what’s available, we can collectively decide whether there is sufficient to augment the current conditions of service or not," Dr Apaak explained.
He further dismissed concerns that the NDC flagbearer's honest approach to addressing the conditions of service for teachers would lead to a significant loss of votes in the upcoming general elections.
Dr Apaak also did not agree with concerns that the teaching fraternity would penalise Mr Mahama for his sincerity.