Clement Apaak, the Deputy Education Minister-designate, has strongly emphasized that teachers deserve the highest level of recognition and better pay than any other professionals. During his vetting before Parliament's Appointments Committee on February 25, Dr. Apaak highlighted the crucial role teachers play in shaping every profession.
He argued that teachers' compensation should reflect their importance, as they educate individuals across all fields. "I genuinely believe that teachers are the most important in the grand scheme of things," Dr. Apaak remarked. "Everyone present here is a product of a teacher. We all owe our knowledge and skills to the hard work and dedication of our teachers."
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Dr. Apaak further stated, "If I had control over resources, I would prioritize paying teachers more than any other professional group—but unfortunately, I do not." He emphasized that teachers are the backbone of the education system and deserve to be valued and rewarded.
Dr. Apaak's comments come amid persistent concerns about low salaries and poor working conditions for teachers, which often lead to strikes and industrial actions. Many teachers have expressed frustration over the lack of resources, inadequate infrastructure, and poor compensation, which affects their morale and ability to deliver quality education.
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In another matter, Dr. Apaak acknowledged that some of his previous statements criticizing the government's approach to illegal mining, known as galamsey, were too harsh. "Honourable Chair, in retrospect, I acknowledge that my language was too harsh," he conceded when questioned by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. Dr. Apaak assured the committee that he would strive to maintain a more measured tone in his public statements going forward.
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