Before I let you know my stance on the ongoing controversy regarding statements made by Senyo Hosi about UG, let me first acknowledge the opinions of others who have made cogent points to succinctly explain their views. Just as they say, opinions are like noses and everyone has one. So I’m not exempted.
I watched his lamentations in video on Citi TV and became pissed off at once. I was irritated simply because I felt Senyo Hosi disregarded and disrespected the distinguished panelists, participants and the entire university community. Due to my temper, I must admit, I lost the message he was carrying across in the process.
One thing I kept me wondering was, why he decided to acquire three (3) different degrees from the same university he knew was having a problem and was churning out low quality products. I pondered over this and that pushed me to calmly and attentively watch the video once again in order to pick the message he was putting forward regardless of my earlier prejudices and emotions.
After keenly watching the video, It revealed to me that, I have placed too much emphasis on the messenger and how the message was delivered rather than the message. Which should have been my prime focus initially.
The shortfalls within our educational system identified and expressed with excess emotions by Senyo Hosi are not only attributable to UG but rather to all Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges and even senior high schools.
To why he chose UG for his several degrees, I feel he didn’t find any ‘better’ alternative in Ghana in his examination. You may also draw a different conclusion though.
I strongly believe he erred in his approach and also used a wrong platform to express his dissatisfaction with our educational system. But his message remain apt and clear. Let’s accept it and work on it.
The technocrats, government, University management and all of us should join hands to find better alternatives on how we refine our educational system which is in a mess now.
We must admit that in Ghana, Ph.d engineers needs roadside vulganizers to check on his/her car engine whenever there’s an issue with it. It is also true that the affluent in the society fly out of the country to seek proper medical care.
As we condemn him for his approach and use of harsh words, let’s try not to gloss over his message to us.
To end with, let me bring to your attention that some teacher trainee’s in the colleges were withdrawn for the reason that they failed a DAGBANI paper. Yes were withdrawn. Meanwhile, they weren’t from North neither were they even going to teach Dagbani after their completion. Those trainees were simply denied the opportunity of being teachers due to our system.
I also believe his ‘rant’ is a call to action. To awaken us to accept the reality.
Written by;
Issah Toha Shamsoo issahtohashamsoo@gmail.com
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