The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) have condemned comments attributed to Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka over the use of forged WASSCE results in recruitment into Ghana’s security services.

The three teacher unions described the reported comments as offensive, misguided and derogatory, arguing that they unfairly linked alleged falsification of WASSCE certificates to the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the teaching profession.

Unions accuse Minister of denigrating teachers

According to the unions, Mr Muntaka made the comments while speaking at a ceremony to commission classroom facilities at the Asokore Mampong Roman Catholic School in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

They said the Minister suggested that the issue of forged or doctored WASSCE results should have occurred within the GES and teaching profession rather than the security services.

The unions said the remarks had generated public debate and amounted to an attack on teachers and institutions responsible for education.

In a joint statement dated September 10 and signed by GNAT General Secretary Thomas T. Musah, NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba and PRETAG President King Ali Awudu, the groups said teachers welcomed constructive criticism but would not tolerate comments they believed sought to ridicule or discredit the profession.

“We won’t accept any repugnant and offensive expressions on our persons as teachers and our profession,” the unions stated.

Teachers reject ‘scapegoat’ tag

The teacher groups also warned that teachers would not be made “scapegoats or guinea pigs” by government officials in matters involving recruitment and verification of academic credentials.

They explained that recruitment into the Education Service requires applicants to possess the relevant educational qualifications, complete National Service and hold a valid National Teaching Council (NTC) teaching licence.

Applicants are also required to submit academic certificates and other personal records, including their National Service certificate, NTC licence and Ghana Card.

According to the unions, these documents are subjected to verification and audits at the institutions that issued them.

They therefore rejected what they described as attempts to associate the alleged use of forged or doctored WASSCE certificates with the GES and teachers.

‘Enough is enough’ – Unions

The unions said teachers had consistently exercised restraint and acted in accordance with their responsibilities as citizens, but cautioned that such restraint should not be interpreted as weakness.

They are demanding that Mr Muntaka retract the reported comments and apologise to teachers.

“We are fed up with these scapegoating and blame games on our teachers. Enough is enough!” the unions said.

The groups also reminded the public of the critical role teachers play in national development.

“If you can read this, thank a teacher. Teachers should be celebrated and not denigrated.”