Book and Research Allowances; Education Minister, Buaben Asamoah, others lied – NDC

There have been debates all over the media regarding the cancellation of book and research allowances for Senior Lecturers in the Public Universities and Technical Universities in Ghana. Many Ghanaians including some members of the ruling NPP government alleged in the past that, the previous government under President John Dramani Mahama has cancelled the allowances for Lecturers.

Meanwhile, a section of the public including the opposition NDC strongly depend the allegation saying, the NDC never cancelled books and research allowances for Lecturers.

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The debates advanced at the time the National Democratic Congress announced the former Education Minister Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as the running mate for John Dramani Mahama in the December 2020 polls.

The Member of Parliament for the Ningo Prampram Constituency Hon. Samuel George Nartey has openly accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government for having some dishonest personalities who are always interested in telling lies to the Ghanaian populace.

According to the Member of Parliament, the Director of Communications of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Yaw Buabeng Asamoah in a press briefing told lies that, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has cancelled the Book and Research Allowances for Lecturers and Teachers.

Hon. Samuel Nartey George in a social media post added that, the Minister of Education Hon. Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh has earlier made similar public pronouncement about the Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the former Education Minister under former president John Dramani Mahama.

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“Guys, the government is made up of some very dishonest people. They peddle blatant falsehoods. Yaw Buabeng Asamoah repeated a lie first told by Matthew Opoku Prempeh that Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang had cancelled book and research allowance for lecturers.” He told.

In addition, he expressed worry over the blatant lies of some key government officials on the cancellation of book and research allowances. He went ahead to say, the New Patriotic Party should tell Ghanaians when the former Education Minister who is currently the running of the NDC cancelled the book and research allowances and when it was restored by the NPP. Sam George said “Facts are sacred. You cannot taint the good Professor’s track record.”

“The facts do not support this claim. It is yet another unintelligent lie aimed at denigrating the stellar records of the former Minister for Education and Running Mate of the NDC. Can the NPP tell us when Prof cancelled the allowance and when they restored it. Facts are sacred. You cannot taint the good Professor’s track record. #IAmWithHer, are you?” Sam George further said.

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BACKGROUND

In a letter intercepted by Coverghana.com.gh signed by the former Deputy Finance Minister Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson dated 24th March, 2016 has outlined measures taken by the NDC government to pay books and research allowances for Senior Staff who were due for payment as at the time.

According to the letter, a request was made by the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) for payment of allowances for Senior Staff and was approved by government.

The letter further stated the rate for payment for the Senior Staff form public universities and polytechnics, now technical universities.

Books Allowances 

Per the letter, university lecturers were paid 1,500 dollars for books allowance, polytechnic lecturers were also paid 1,500 dollars while Non Senior Members of polytechnics received 1,000 dollars.

Research allowances

In case of research allowances, university lecturers were paid Gh¢500 senior members of polytechnics received GH¢400 and Non senior members were also paid Gh¢300 each.

The letter further added that, “consequently, the amount is charged to and will be disbursed from the Ministry of Education’s budget”

Read below the full letter.