Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Effutu, has told the Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu and Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to focus on pressing issues affecting teachers rather than fighting over who succeeds President John Mahama.
According to Afenyo-Markin, Haruna Iddrisu must pressure Ato Forson to give him clearance to pay and recruit Teachers.
Afenyo-Markin claimed the two ministers have prioritised internal politics rather than focusing on the plight of teachers awaiting recruitment and payment of arrears.
The Minority leader condemned the education minister’s recent remarks to the media when quizzed about the plight of unrecruited teachers.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin stated, “The minister is only telling the media that, as for him, he’s there, if he’s there, he doesn’t have a problem. The problem is the finance minister you need to reconcile. You sit with him at the cabinet now. You have just come. We will spare you.
“We’ll not put too much pressure on you. But Honourable Minister, the teachers need clearance. Put pressure on the finance minister. He’s your junior brother. Tell him to approve for you to recruit.
It’s not enough to tell the media that it’s not your responsibility. That’s unacceptable. Honourable Minister of Education, I’m sorry, today is your first day at work, but we need to do our job. The teachers are suffering. Yes, of course, “ he said.
He added, “Instead of paying attention to critical issues in the economy, you are fighting over who will succeed President Mahama,” Afenyo-Markin said.
“I know a lot of teachers are not happy with the Government and the Education Ministry, but I am not the approval authority. I need clearance from the Finance Ministry,” Haruna Iddrisu stated.
The minority leader’s remarks come on the back of Haruna Iddrisu, who asserted to the frustrations of teachers but stated that he lacks the authority to approve payments or recruitment without clearance from the Finance Ministry.
“I know a lot of teachers are not happy with the Government and the Education Ministry, but I am not the approval authority. I need clearance from the Finance Ministry,” Haruna Iddrisu stated.
In related news, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that its recent administrative circular does not prevent teachers from demonstrating.
According to the GES, their internal circular on administrative procedures does not attempt to silence teachers.
The GES clarified that Teachers are free to express their views or concerns, which include the right to peaceful demonstrations.
In a statement on Friday, March 13, 2026, the GES clarified, “DIRECTIVE TO RESPECT ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES WITHIN THE SERVICE
1. Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has taken note of the public discussions following the internal circular titled “Management Reinforces Respect for Administrative Structures and Professional Conduct”, referenced GES/DD-G/Q&A/26/134, which was addressed to all Regional Directors of Education.
2. Management wishes to clarify that the circular does not in any way prohibit teachers from expressing their views or concerns, nor does it seek to undermine their constitutional rights, including demonstrations.
3. Teachers, like all citizens, are entitled to lawful expression, including engaging their unions and participating in legitimate advocacy.
4. The purpose of the directive is simply to re-emphasise the long-standing administrative structure of the Service, which has guided the operations of the GES for decades.
5. Under this established process, concerns originating at the school level are first addressed by the Head of School. Where necessary, such matters are escalated to the District Directorate, then to the Regional Directorate, and subsequently to the Headquarters.
6. This structure exists to ensure that issues are handled efficiently, fairly, and with the appropriate context at each level of the Service.
7. Management assures all staff of the Service, Unions and other Stakeholders that ongoing efforts to resolve matters relating to arrears, salaries and recruitment are being treated with urgency. Updates will be communicated in the coming days.
8. In this light, Management calls for calm and continued professionalism across the Service, while constructive engagements through the appropriate channels remain encouraged”.
The GES clarification follows an earlier statement that warned teachers not to leave their classrooms to demonstrate, visit the headquarters in Accra, or speak to the media with their concerns during school hours.
Watch the video below:
@mylo_melo Collaborate with the finance minister, Hon. Ato Forson to give you clearance to recruit teachers and stop fighting over who succeeds president Mahama. – Hon Afenyo-Markin to Education minister Hon Haruna Iddrisu
♬ original sound – Mylo Melo