Amoako-Gyampah K. A. (2015). STRIKING WHERE IT HURTS: THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF GRADUATE TEACHERS STRIKES AND LABOUR RELATIONS IN GHANA’S PUBLIC EDUCATION SECTOR. African Review of Economics and Finance,7, (2),60-83.http://www.upjournals.co.za/index.php/AREF/article/view/768.ISSN: Online - 2410-4906 / Print - 2042-1478
Abstract This article examines the 2005 and 2006 strike actions of the National Association
of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT). It seeks to investigate the root causes of teacher
grievances during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s administration;
government responses to these agitations; and, finally, to highlight significant
contours of the political economy of labour relations in Ghana’s public education
sector. It is demonstrated that, among other things, it was the lackadaisical
attitude of government, the Education Ministry and the Ghana Education Service
in resolving the teachers’ grievances that resulted in the 2005 and 2006 strikes.
I also argue that the posturing of the government and its institutions in resolving
the teacher’s grievances, once the strike had started, entrenched the attitudes
of the striking teachers and prolonged the strike action. Government’s failure
to stifle teacher’s discontent and find an amicable settlement resulted in legal
pressure and threats of dismissal aimed at compelling the striking teachers to
end their action. Government also attempted to drive a wedge between NAGRAT
and the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) by hiding behind the
technicality of the use of the collective bargaining certificate in the education
sector, and presented the strike action as a rift between GNAT and NAGRAT,
rather than between NAGRAT and the government. Furthermore, government
sought, subtly, to pitch the public (at least its sympathisers) against the striking teachers by constructing the strike action as politically inspired to discredit its administration. Primary sources used for the article were drawn from personal
interviews, newspaper reports, observations, and official union documents,
which include letters, memoranda and press releases.
Brako, I & Asah-Asante, K. (2014). Single Spine, Double Spine or Multiple Spine: Solving Labour Conflicts and Making Public Sector Jobs More Rewarding in Ghana. Modern Africa: Politics, History and Society,2, (2),117-139.http://modernafricajournal.org/.ISSN: 2336-3274
Brako, I.
Weekly Seminar Series of Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, Legonl. Kofi Drah Conference Hall, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. 25th April 2015
Paper presented:
Into HIPC, Out of HIPC and Into HIPC Again: Excessive Borrowing and Reckless Spending Plunge Ghana’s Economy into Abyss
Abstract Ghana attained political independence from British rule with her economy on a sound footing. Due to spate of military coups d’etat, bad governance and economic mismanagement, the economy of the country which had the accolade of being the model colony of the British, lapsed into the abyss of the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) after forty years of independence. Between 2004 and 2008, this once HIPC economy picked up very strongly leading to country weaning herself from the grips of the Breton Woods’ institutions (BWIs). Just within a space of six years the country’s economy has lapsed into HIPC again due to reckless and excessive borrowing, gross economic mismanagement, profligate spending, naked looting from the national kitty and unbridled corruption. The paper dilates on the factors that have contributed to the worsening economic situation and offers measures to salvage the malaise. Data are obtained from both primary and secondary sources and are situated in the context of dependency theory of development as well as elite theory of policy implementation. The study discusses how both theories have contributed to shape Ghana’s economy and establishes that it is bad policies rather than the policies of the Breton Wood’s Institutions which have been the bane of the country’s predicament.
Brako, I. & Asah-Asante, K.
Weekly Seminar Series of Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, Legonl. Kofi Drah Conference Hall, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. 25th April 2015
Paper presented:
Into HIPC, Out of HIPC and Into HIPC Again: Excessive Borrowing and Reckless Spending Plunge Ghana’s Economy into Abyss
Abstract Ghana attained political independence from British rule with her economy on a sound footing. Due to spate of military coups d’etat, bad governance and economic mismanagement, the economy of the country which had the accolade of being the model colony of the British, lapsed into the abyss of the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) after forty years of independence. Between 2004 and 2008, this once HIPC economy picked up very strongly leading to country weaning herself from the grips of the Breton Woods’ institutions (BWIs). Just within a space of six years the country’s economy has lapsed into HIPC again due to reckless and excessive borrowing, gross economic mismanagement, profligate spending, naked looting from the national kitty and unbridled corruption. The paper dilates on the factors that have contributed to the worsening economic situation and offers measures to salvage the malaise. Data are obtained from both primary and secondary sources and are situated in the context of dependency theory of development as well as elite theory of policy implementation. The study discusses how both theories have contributed to shape Ghana’s economy and establishes that it is bad policies rather than the policies of the Breton Wood’s Institutions which have been the bane of the country’s predicament.
Paper presented:
COASTAL EROSION OR ACCRETION? AN ANALYSIS OF SHORELNE CHANGE ALONG CAPE COAST - SEKONDI COASTLINE IN GHANA
Abstract Coastal erosion and accretion bring several changes along the coastline which they occur. It is a fact that coastal erosion leads to land loss while accretion builds up the land. It is therefore important to understand the dynamics involved in these important phenomena that occur along the coast. The study was intended to investigate the extent of changes along the shoreline/coastline between Cape Coast and Sekondi spanning for 41 years. The rate of erosion and accretion was investigated through laboratory analysis using samples of pebbles and sand. Changes along the shoreline were analysed through Digital Shoreline Analysis Systems (DSAS) using End Point Rate method. In addition, 45 respondents were also purposively selected for the study while photographic images were also used. It was found out that both natural and anthropogenic factors have contributed to changes along the coastlines under investigation. The changes are not continuous as there are periods of erosion leading to loss of land alternated by periods of accretion leading to building up of the coast. Based on the findings, it was recommended that any strategy to deal with changes occurring at the coastlines should take into consideration both the natural and human factors.
Paper presented:
COASTAL EROSION OR ACCRETION? AN ANALYSIS OF SHORELNE CHANGE ALONG CAPE COAST - SEKONDI COASTLINE IN GHANA
Abstract Coastal erosion and accretion bring several changes along the coastline which they occur. It is a fact that coastal erosion leads to land loss while accretion builds up the land. It is therefore important to understand the dynamics involved in these important phenomena that occur along the coast. The study was intended to investigate the extent of changes along the shoreline/coastline between Cape Coast and Sekondi spanning for 41 years. The rate of erosion and accretion was investigated through laboratory analysis using samples of pebbles and sand. Changes along the shoreline were analysed through Digital Shoreline Analysis Systems (DSAS) using End Point Rate method. In addition, 45 respondents were also purposively selected for the study while photographic images were also used. It was found out that both natural and anthropogenic factors have contributed to changes along the coastlines under investigation. The changes are not continuous as there are periods of erosion leading to loss of land alternated by periods of accretion leading to building up of the coast. Based on the findings, it was recommended that any strategy to deal with changes occurring at the coastlines should take into consideration both the natural and human factors.