Ghana’s Teachers Must Teach Not Preach
Ghana’s Vice President John Dramani Mahama has asked teachers to teach the curriculum and not form unofficial “churches”.
These teachers are exploiting their students by using them as fodder to build their businesses, which Mahama diplomatically calls an “unhelpful habit”. I would call it unethical. Disturbingly these self-styled pastors are encouraging students to attend all night prayer services, putting their energies into prayer not study.
Religion should stay in the RE classes and the personal religious views of teachers should not impinge on the rest of the curriculum.
Woe–Aklorbordzi (V/R), July 04, GNA – Vice President John Mahama has deplored the “unhelpful habit” of some teachers forming churches in which they engage students instead of devoting themselves to academic work.
He said these teachers turned pastors influenced the students to put more energy into the activities of their churches including all-night vigils for personal gain rather than work on approved curricula designed to ensure a rounded education for our children.
Vice-President Mahama said this in an address delivered on his behalf at the launch of Aklorbordzi Development Foundation (ADF), a non-profit organization, instituted by the people of Aklorbordzi in Woe in the Keta Municipality.
He appealed to supervisors of schools to “ensure that our children do not become tools for those who want to make their personal fortunes in religion.”
Vice-President Mahama also urged District Directors of Education, Headmasters and the Christian Council of Ghana to step in to address the situation.
Humanist Association of Ghana 
I reply to Graham Knight here and on my FB page (gilliantravers7) –VF days. The cracks in the education system you have discovered there exist worldwide. Only in my 50s am I looking analytically at how I was taught in a very backward -facing Ireland, a new state making up its own rules.
As a French student, I was shocked when a teacher in my supposedly International School began preaching in our biology class. He even went on to say that there are too many “loopholes” in evolution for it to be true. Someone, please, replace him! How is it possible for a teacher to place the myth of creation above a theory that is backed by mounds of evidence. It is shocking, and I truly believe religion is working against the best interests of Ghanaians by causing them to ignore fact.
This is quite shocking to hear from a science teacher! Do any of your friends feel the same way? Can you talk to the headteacher, tutor or parents about it? Have you tried having a respectful word with the teacher concerned?
The post about the biology teacher beggars belief. The play, ‘Imherit the Wind’ is over 50 years old now, about the American Court case on this very point, but where conversely the teacher was teaching evolution in the American religious mid- west, where of course we know God lives. Maybe you could get a copy of the play and leave it for your teacher? GT 24/12/12
Haha Gillian! Maybe I will!
And in respone to Graham, I’ve spoken to it to a few students but they don’t seem to mind. I’d say about 99% of the class (the one percent being me) is creationist. The only two people I know who are in touch with reality are in the sixth form. I’ve spoken to my father about it, and I’ve also spoken to a member for the biology department with no avail.
What I plan on doing is going to the headteacher, but he too is a creationist. I guess I’ll just have to be the voice of reason among a flock of mindless sheep.
Again.