Can Ablakwa Survive In The Education Ministry?

Samuel-Okudzeto-Ablakwa

I am just asking whether this 'sharp teeth' MP of North Tongu Constituency can survive in the Ministry of Education with his 'big mouth' attitude that obviously showcases itself in his entire life.

The much awaited second list of deputy ministerial nominees by the President of Ghana has been released by Dr Raymond A. Atuguba, the Executive Secretary to the President, in accordance with Article 79 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

Surprisingly, the former Deputy Information Minister and MP for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel OkudzetoAblakwa has been nominated by the President as Deputy Minister designate to the Ministry of Education.

Before his nomination,businessman Alfred Woyome had warned that he would do everything possible to challenge in court any appointment offered Samuel by President Mahama. He had earlier on cautioned President Mahama against appointing people connected to his 51 Million Ghana Cedis judgment debt saga which is currently being tried by the courts in Ghana .

According to Woyome's spokesman, Kwame Tawiah, the businessman would be using the courts to foil any new appointments offered any of the former appointees including Samuel who served in the Mills-led administration.(http://elections.peacefmonline.com/politics/201301/152607.php).

That notwithstanding, Samuel, who seems 'sometimes stupid' according to Kofi Wayo, judging the MP from how he used to handle issues of real significance in government,(http://politics.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201207/90378.php), can be classified as one of those ministers and politicians in Ghana who are likely to make useless remarks against employees including teachers.

Taking a cursory look at the behavior of past Education Ministers and their Deputies in the country, one finds that any Minister whose speech is prematurely articulated has the tendency to attract more attacks on themselves and the parties on whose tickets they serve Mother Ghana.

The issues that emanate from the ministry daily depict that the sector has a lot to do to avoid any possible danger that can lead to the throwing out of a successful presidency from power. Teachers in Ghana, though very relevant, are many, so are the problems they encounter as professionals.

Meanwhile, this unwarranted situation meted out to them has gone on for years without proper consistent and systematic approach to deal with pertinent issues that have the potentiality to cause strike actions and their likes in the country.

The challenges that the ministry faces are capable of making its great and mature professionals look totally incompetent in the eyes of the public, though obviously, this may not be the case. Already, there is no doubt that our good humble Professor Naana Opoku Agyemang is battling with such indescribably huge problems bedeviling her ministry that can electrify any leader who is not elite to make any comment to mar the situation.

The question is, Can this Ablakwa who gushes unqualified comments only to gain media recognition and political importance survive in such a ministry to team up with the elite leadership that the Sector Minister is putting into place?

Undoubtedly, we know that he will receive the nod as Deputy Minister of Education, basing on how government nominees are interviewed, assessed and officially welcomed on board in Ghana. But seriously, everything looks like Samuel is not going to be what the public will expect, and will add more pain to the politically packaged agony that the Ghanaian professional teacher encounters daily. Has the President made the right choice?

Will the Appointment Committee do a good job, or the usual stuff? Has Ablakwa been misplaced? And Mr President, if you see the tree to be at least useful, why didn't you straighten it up when it was young enough? I am just asking.