Remove Akropong School for the Blind Headmistress from office to ensure thorough investigations – POSA to GES

The Progressive Old Students Association of the Akropong School for the Blind has questioned how a thorough and independent investigation into the misappropriation of food items by the Headmistress can be carried out when she is still in office.

According to the group, it is appalled, disappointed and amazed at the turn of events at the School following the demonstration by the students on Friday, 14′^h May, and the subsequent joint petition by the Students Representative Council and the Progressive Old Students Association of Akropong School for the Blind.

The group in a statement said following the demonstration and the petition, the actions taken by both the School Administration and the Ghana Education Service only give credence to the issues raised in the said petition.

“Secondly, the GES claims to be conducting an investigation into the matter and yet the headmistress is still in office. How can an independent and a thorough investigation be carried out while the headmistress continues to be in office? Again, why were the students who appeared before the investigating team on Tuesday, 18’h May threatened that they will be punished after the investigation? Further, why has the investigating team not invited the leadership of the Progressive Old Students Association of the school since they jointly wrote the petition with the students’ leadership? Are these to suggest that, the outcome of the investigation has been predetermined?

“Another major alleged disturbing issue worthy of note is about the sponsorship of the investigating team. We understand the team’s sitting on Tuesday, 18′ ^l‘ May was funded by the school administration. Well, in as much as this remains an allegation, it must be investigated because if it turns out to be true, it can compromise the investigation,” the statement said.

It added: “Further, On Monday, 17^th May, the students were given items like biscuits, toffees and others. This is only a justification of the claims raised in the earlier petition. It thus means that the Headmistress had deliberately refused to give such donated items to the students and only decided to do so after the demonstration. Was it done to induce the students so as to become silent?”

Below is the full statement

REMOVAL OF THE HEAD MISTRESS OF AKROPONG SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND (MAHELA NARH)

We are appalled, disappointed and amazed at the turn of events at the Akropong School for the Blind following the demonstration by the students on Friday, 14′^h May, and the subsequent joint petition by the Students Representative Council and the Progressive Old Students Association of Akropong School for the Blind. Following the demonstration and the petition, the actions taken by both the School Administration and the Ghana Education Service only give credence to the issues raised in the said petition.

In the first place, the administration transferred food items from a particular storeroom to the old administration block. The said storeroom has been referred to in the petition as a place where donated items are kept for onward distribution as gifts to outsiders. The removal of items happened on Monday, 17 May and was witnessed by the Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service. The question is, was that intended to destroy evidence?

Secondly, the GES claims to be conducting an investigation into the matter and yet the headmistress is still in office. How can an independent and a thorough investigation be carried out while the headmistress continues to be in office? Again, why were the students who appeared before the investigating team on Tuesday, 18’h May threatened that they will be punished after the investigation? Further, why has the investigating team not invited the leadership of the Progressive Old Students Association of the school since they jointly wrote the petition with the students’ leadership? Are these to suggest that, the outcome of the investigation has been predetermined?

Another major alleged disturbing issue worthy of noting is about the sponsorship of the investigating team. We understand the team’s sitting on Tuesday, 18′ ^l‘ May was funded by the school administration. Well, in as much as this remains an allegation, it must be investigated because if it turns out to be true, it can compromise the investigation.

Further, On Monday, 17^th May, the students were given items like biscuits, toffees and others. This is only a justification of the claims raised in the earlier petition. It thus means that the Headmistress had deliberately refused to give such donated items to the students and only decided to do so after the demonstration. Was it done to induce the students so as to become silent?

Again, we are aware of the plans to coerce the School’s storekeeper to issue requisition for the food and other items that have been alluded to. We want to assure all those involved that, we are keenly monitoring them and any such attempts will be exposed.

Other issues of concern

The board of Governors of the school has been unusually inactive under her watch. This is because, the headmistress has failed to call regular meetings. The board decided in conformity with procedure, to meet quarterly and this has never happened. For over a year now, the Board has not had a single meeting. This has meant that they are not able to perform their supervisory role. Ordinarily, the Board should have been the first point of call relative to the current events. But that could not happen because of their inactivity.

Unhealthy relationship with staff members: In every school, the relationship between the head and teachers is very crucial to ensure not only proper management of the school but also sound academic performance. However, at Akropong School for the Blind, the situation is completely different. There is a poor relationship between the Headmistress and the majority of teachers. Thus, teachers who do not agree with her policies, practices and attitude are perceived as enemies, saboteurs and traitors. At staff meetings, such teachers whose views are contravenes her’s are subjected to insults. She has succeeded in establishing a “divide and rule” system. The front of the teachers has been divided and are being pitched against one another. The few who support her ridiculous policies and heartless practices are regarded as loved ones, good teachers and are at liberty to do whatever they wish. They also benefit from her absurd benevolence.

Those teachers are used as her spies and often feed her with all sorts of information including rumors about her perceived opponents. These perceived opponents often encounter hatred, disrespect and intimidation. This has forced some key teachers to live the school.

Finally, as part of her gross disrespect and disregard for the dignity of the blind, she once openly knocked the head of her Assistant visually impaired Headmaster Mr. Joseph Atsu Homadzi in her office and insulted him with his disability. The said Assistant Headmaster who retired about a month ago is around and can confirm this.