A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team in the Chiana-Paga Constituency, Alfred Aliah, has thrown his weight behind the party’s proposal to decentralise the recruitment and posting of teachers through Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), using the enhanced District Assembly Common Fund.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Monday, February 9, Aliah argued that transferring recruitment and posting authority to the local level would help resolve longstanding challenges within the education sector.
According to him, officials at the district level are better placed to understand the specific needs of their communities than a centralised system. He questioned the effectiveness of central postings, noting that district education authorities are the primary sources of data used in teacher deployment.
“You cannot tell me that people at the centre know my district better than the District Chief Executive and the District Education Director. They are the ones who provide the data the central system relies on. One of the key benefits of decentralisation is that it will ensure a fairer distribution of teachers.” He said.
Aliah explained that the policy could significantly reduce the persistent problem of teachers declining postings to rural areas, a situation he said has contributed to acute teacher shortages in many deprived communities.
He also dismissed concerns that decentralising recruitment and postings could open the door to corruption at the local level.
Aliah maintained that the process would be carried out under strict supervision and accountability mechanisms.
“It will create employment opportunities at the local level, but it will be done under supervision to ensure the right procedures are followed.”
“Those given the authority to recruit and post teachers know they will be assessed, so they will be careful to do the right thing.”
Mike 105.3fm | Navrongo | David Adapuna
