This is the third and final installment of the text of a speech delivered by the Attorney-General, Mr. B. E. Kwaw-Swanzy at the 40th Founder’s Day anniversary celebration of Achimota School, Accra. 

The list is as imposing as it is interesting, but may it not be likened to the wish which was father of the thought? On the other hand the possibility of the serpent being at work round the corner cannot be overlooked. The problems of education in Ghana are no problem or technique or method; the problems are connected mainly with the selection or human material: they are the result of a conflict of loyalties, of philosophies of life. They are the manifestation of a struggle between the old system of capitalism- imperialism and the new order of democracy and African socialism.  The solution to our problems lies in ensuring that those of us who are charged with the formal education of our youth are the natives educated and are re-orientated. 

It is our duty to ensure that the teacher is ideologically sound, that he knows what is expected of him, that he carries out faithfully the duties imposed upon him as a member of the community.  The teacher must be a firm believer in the nation’s philosophy of life if he is to be in a position to influence purposively the young in their development as good citizens. The teacher must be an example of the good life.

The law must cease to be the special reserve of the lawyer. As the fundamental law of the country the Constitution must be known to each and every citizen. I am happy to learn that steps have recently been taken to ensure the Constitution is taught in our public secondary schools. It is to be hoped that the Ministry of Education will also take steps to extend this facility to the private sector of the educational system. particularly those Institutions which cater for the education of Ghanaian citizens.

Non-alignment

With regard to the non- Ghanaian educator in our institutions the problem calls for a different treatment. We cannot compel him to adopt our way of life, but we can prevent him from playing the part of the serpent. There used to be a saying that whoever pays the piper calls the tune.  Are there any expatriate teachers in our schools who work voluntarily for us without pay? To them, I say in the words of the Latin prophet: “Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes” (Fear the Greeks even if they offer gifts). If the expatriate educator accepts money from us in consideration of his services as a teacher, then he cannot in honesty say that he will not teach what we want him to teach. He cannot, once he accepts our pay, be heard to say that to teach what we expect of him is to take part in politics.

English songs such as “Britons never, never shall be slaves”. It was part of his duties as a teacher. How can he now say that it is wrong for him to teach our youth the Constitution and the National Anthem of Ghana?  “By their deeds ye shall know them”. No Sovereign State can be compelled to keep within its borders aliens whose actions are  calculated to subvert the State.  Ghana became independent at a time when there was in existence in the world two blocs of powers mutually distrustful of each other. There was and there is still the in existence Cold War between the West and the East. On becoming independent Ghana chose the path of  non-alignment.  There are some people. however, mostly to be found in the Western Bloc, who believe that there can be no “sitting-on-the -fence” in the  Cold War. Their motto is: “If you are not with me you must be against me.” 

Custodians

Any person who subscribes to this school of thought is a potential danger to our society; he will purposely involve us in the Cold War. It is our duty to be vigilant against the activities of such persons. It has well been said that the price is eternal vigilance.  It is only by being vigilant that…