Prof. Gyampo To Akufo-Addo: Teachers Are Poor Because Of Politicians

Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Prof. Yaw Gyampo, has responded to a comment by President Akufo-Addo to the effect that teachers do not go into their professions expecting to be millionaires, saying that position is historically incorrect.

In a write-up, Prof. Gyampo points out that the Ghanaian teacher had in the past enjoyed more value than the politician, especially during the colonial era and subsequently, the Nkrumah era.

However, after the overthrow of Nkrumah, the premium placed on teachers was continually eroded over the years by the political class, starting with military governments.

“President Akufo-Addo recently made an unfortunate remark that no one goes into teaching and expects to be a millionaire. This is a fundamental mis-statement of historical fact. Teachers were well paid and could afford to buy their own luxury vehicles and build their mansions. If today, people who go into teaching cannot hope to become millionaires, na who cause am? Isn’t it the politician?” he asked rhetorically.

According to him, before independence in 1951, up to the end of the First Republic, University Teachers were valued as crucial in producing a critical mass of nation builders for Ghana. They were, therefore, among the highest paid Public Servants in Ghana. 

“The salaries of lecturers in Ghana were similar to those of their counterparts in the UK. A Lecturer was paid a sum of £1,040 per annum while a Member of Parliament received £960 per annum. Senior Lecturers were paid around £1,350 per annum while Deputy Ministers received around £1,200 per annum. Members of the Professorial ranks were paid more than Ministers, with the former receiving between £1,600 and 2,100 while the latter were paid around £1,450,” he wrote.

Prof. Gyampo challenged politicians who really want to see the country developed to return to the colonial and Nkrumah era policies which placed more value on teachers than politicians.