Former GES Boss Urges Headteachers to Rise and Lead with Confidence

Charles Aheto-Tsegah, a former Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), has urged headteachers across the country to take advantage of the current environment and speak out without fear of retaliation. Speaking on Joy News’ Upfront, Aheto-Tsegah highlighted the importance of candid dialogue in addressing the significant challenges faced by Ghana’s education system.

In the past, Aheto-Tsegah acknowledged, many headteachers were reluctant to voice their concerns due to the fear of facing consequences such as transfers, reassignment to different offices, or unwarranted criticism. This created a climate of fear within the educational sector, which, according to him, has contributed to some of the challenges facing the sector today. He pointed out that headteachers often felt silenced, afraid to speak out on critical issues affecting schools and the broader education system.

However, Aheto-Tsegah emphasized that there has been a positive shift in the leadership atmosphere, particularly with the strong encouragement from the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo. The President has publicly stated that now is the time for headteachers to be open and honest about the issues they face without the worry of unjust consequences. “The President has come out and declared that now is the time to speak your mind. Speak up, nobody is going to chase you or remove you from your position unless there is a valid reason for it. So the context has changed,” Aheto-Tsegah explained.

He called on headteachers to embrace this opportunity to raise their concerns about the challenges they are encountering, especially those impacting the welfare and academic progress of students. Aheto-Tsegah emphasized that it is crucial for headteachers to speak up when pressing issues, such as hunger or lack of resources, affect their schools. “If you say the children are hungry and you need money to manage the school, that should not be a problem at all. But you must speak your mind. The time has come for headteachers to wake up to the smell of the coffee and tell it like it is,” he said, urging headteachers to be honest and open about the difficulties they face.

Aheto-Tsegah also noted that recent actions taken by some headteachers indicate a positive shift in their willingness to speak openly about the challenges they encounter. These actions, he suggested, might signal the beginning of a broader movement toward greater transparency and more active involvement from educators in shaping the direction of the education system. “Maybe the kind of actions that some headteachers have taken are just a good boiling point. It shows that they are now willing to speak their minds and describe the real consequences of current policies and decisions,” he said.

While Aheto-Tsegah encouraged headteachers to speak up, he also cautioned them not to sit passively and allow problems to escalate unchecked. Instead, he urged them to take proactive steps to seek support from individuals or organizations that can help address the challenges their schools are facing. “Headteachers should not just watch and allow things to blow up. They should seek support from people who can provide it, to ensure that schools are managed effectively,” he stated.

The former GES boss expressed optimism that if headteachers rise to the occasion and engage in honest, open conversations about the issues affecting schools, they could play a vital role in transforming the education sector. Aheto-Tsegah believes that leadership, especially at the level of headteachers, will be crucial in shaping the future of education in Ghana. “This is a time for leadership, and headteachers must lead by example. Speaking up is not just an option—it is a necessity for the betterment of our schools and our children,” he concluded.

In summary, Aheto-Tsegah’s call for headteachers to speak up reflects the broader need for leadership within the education system. He believes that with the encouragement of national leadership and the support of stakeholders, headteachers can help drive positive change, tackling the critical issues facing schools today and contributing to the long-term improvement of education in Ghana. By embracing open dialogue and taking decisive action, headteachers can make a significant difference in shaping a more effective and responsive education system for the future.