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| Director-General of GES |
In a significant development that offers hope and relief to thousands of graduate teachers across Ghana, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has begun fulfilling its commitment to address the controversial mass recruitment issues from late 2024. Following months of tension, confusion, and protest, GES is now actively reaching out to affected individuals through SMS and phone calls—signaling the start of official postings for validated recruits.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how we got here, what has transpired, and what applicants need to know moving forward.
Background: The Recruitment Controversy
On February 10, 2025, the Office of the President issued a directive—based on concerns of financial mismanagement and irregularities—that led to the revocation of all GES appointments not yet on the government payroll. The Chief of Staff and subsequent communication from the Acting Director-General of GES, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, validated this move in a statement dated February 17, 2025.
Who Was Affected?
This sweeping directive impacted:
Graduate teachers who had received appointment letters but had not yet been officially added to the government payroll.
Applicants whose recruitment processes were incomplete or pending.
Regional, Municipal, and District Education Directors, who were tasked with enforcing the revocation and guiding affected staff through the next steps.
Validation Process Launched
In a bid to correct the irregularities, GES initiated a nationwide validation exercise on March 5, 2025. All affected recruits were asked to submit their credentials to regional three-member committees made up of:
- The Regional HR Officer
- The Regional Internal Auditor
- The Regional Accountant
Applicants were required to present:
- Appointment Letter
- Academic Certificate
- Licensure Certificate
- National Service Certificate
The deadline for validation was set for March 14, 2025. This process aimed to verify authenticity and ensure only qualified candidates would be considered for final posting.
Minister Haruna Iddrisu Responds
In the face of public backlash and protests by graduate teachers, the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, addressed the issue in multiple statements. He clarified that the mass recruitment was conducted without financial clearance, calling it a deceptive move by the previous administration.
“Out of the 39,000, probably government may be able to absorb 9,000, 11,000 or 12,000 but certainly not 39,000,” the Minister said.
He reassured affected teachers that only those validated and within budget limits would be absorbed and urged them to remain calm while the audit concluded.
Hope on the Horizon: Financial Clearance and Committee Formation
Following the revocation and validation, efforts were made to secure fresh financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance to recruit graduates on ‘pending for consideration’. A dedicated committee was also formed to oversee the new recruitment and posting process and to streamline communication among stakeholders.
This signaled that the government was not abandoning the recruits, but rather taking corrective action to ensure fiscal discipline and transparency.
GES Fulfills Promise – SMS and Phone Calls Begin
In a recent confirmed update, it has been revealed that GES has officially begun re-engaging validated applicants. According to reports from ThinkofGH, both SMS and phone calls are being used to notify graduate teachers who had previously received appointment letters and went through the validation process.
This outreach is being conducted in batches, meaning not all qualified applicants have been contacted yet. However, GES assures that the process is ongoing, and all eligible candidates will be notified in due time.
What Affected Applicants Should Do Now
Stay Calm & Patient – If you haven’t received a call or message yet, it doesn’t mean you’ve been excluded. GES is working in phases.
Monitor Your Phone – Keep your registered number active and regularly check for messages or missed calls.
Keep Documentation Ready – Ensure you still have your appointment and academic documents in case further verification is needed.
Stay Connected to Official Sources – Follow updates from your regional GES office and official GES platforms to avoid misinformation.
Conclusion
While the recruitment saga caused considerable distress for many graduates, the current administration has demonstrated a commitment to restoring order, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. The ongoing SMS and call-back initiative is a clear indication that GES is delivering on its promise to regularize and finalize recruitment for those who genuinely qualify.
As the academic year unfolds, these new postings will help reinforce teaching staff across the country and ensure that education delivery is not compromised.
For more updates, stay tuned to official channels and keep checking ThinkofGH for real-time developments.