In recent reports by Africa Education Watch, it has come to light that several public universities in Ghana are failing to respond to phone calls made to their official lines.
Shockingly, even some of the prestigious institutions, often referred to as the premier ones, are among the culprits. Out of 16 public universities, only 7 responded to at least one of the three test inquiry phone calls made during official working hours over a three-day period.
This revelation has raised concerns about the state of leadership and public service in the education sector institutions. However, it is not all bleak, as there are some institutions that are setting an excellent example of responsiveness in the Education Sector in Ghana.
The Africa Education Watch Open Governance Report III disclosed that nine public universities failed to respond to the phone calls made to their official telephone lines.
This disheartening reality includes the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Cape Coast, University for Development Studies, University of Education, Winneba, University of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana Communication Technology University, and Akenten Appiah–Menka University of Skills Training & Entrepreneurial Development.
It is not surprising that some people are taken aback by these findings, given that the parent Ministry of Education in Ghana has itself been non-responsive on its officially published phone lines since 2021.
This lack of responsiveness seems to be a recurring issue, suggesting that the leadership in most education sector public institutions might be prioritizing serving the government over serving the state and the general public. Such a mindset and approach contradict the essence of public service.
Africa Education Watch emphasizes that this prevailing situation demands change. Public universities and other institutions in the education sector must prioritize communication and responsiveness to ensure they are serving their primary stakeholders – the students and the public. A commitment to openness and accountability is crucial for enhancing the quality of education and building public trust.
Amidst the disappointing findings, there are some institutions that stand out for their exemplary responsiveness. These institutions have demonstrated a commitment to address queries and engage with the public effectively.
The following are the call responsive MDA’s (Ministries, Departments, and Agencies) in the Education Sector in Ghana:
- Centre for National Distance Learning & Open Schools
- Encyclopedia African Project
- Ghana Book Development Council
- Ghana Education Trust Fund
- Ghana Library Authority
- National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
- National Schools Inspectorate Authority
- Students Loan Trust Fund
- West African Examinations Council
These organizations deserve recognition for their dedication to answering phone calls and actively engaging with the public, thereby fostering transparency and accountability in the education sector.
Source: GESHub.org
