Kumasi: The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has called on the government to tackle the challenges facing the teaching profession in Ghana, emphasizing that the profession's dignity is in decline. His appeal was specifically directed at Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang during the investiture ceremony of Prof Eric Kwasi Ofori as Vice Chancellor of Garden City University in Kumasi.
According to Ghana Web, the Okyenhene expressed concern over the undervaluation of teachers in the country. He stressed that teachers, who play a crucial role in shaping the nation's future, are not receiving the respect and support they deserve. He pointed out issues such as overcrowded classrooms, outdated curricula, and inadequate remuneration, particularly affecting rural areas.
The Okyenhene warned that these conditions could trap children in rural Ghana in cycles of limited opportunities. He highlighted that many schools lack essential infrastructure, including chairs and proper learning spaces, which hampers effective education. He urged the government to look to countries where teachers are treated as special professionals, with access to modern facilities and respect commensurate with their role in national development.
In his address to the Vice President, the Okyenhene stated, "Let me just say to the vice president that you are here in this city but what we need to do is to make sure that we take this education to give every child in this country a place to sit. A table to ride on. A roof over their head and a good teacher to learn from. For some reason, we have diminished the dignity of the teaching profession."