We never said we were reopening schools – Oppong Nkrumah

Government says that reports circulating that it will soon reopen schools across the country are untrue.

Government says it is instead engaged in consultation on when and how to reopen schools.

Speaking at the Information Ministry’s press briefing Thursday, Minister for Information, Kojo Opong Nkrumah said “with the greatest of respects it is not correct. Government is not saying that schools are to reopen soon. What we are saying is that consultation on what it takes to reopen schools is what we are currently engaged in.

He noted, “if there has been a misspeak, just to put it in its right context, consultations on what it takes to reopen schools, as part of the potential easing of the general restrictions that we are living under, are what have started.”

Mr Nkrumah, however, acknowledged the apprehension of relevant stakeholders, calling for their input in the ongoing engagements.

“We notice that there are a lot of stakeholder group, parents, unions that appear a bit apprehensive since those reports came out. It’s okay to be apprehensive, indeed if we are not apprehensive, then we would not being sensitive to the challenges of the time. I’ts okay to be apprehensive, it is okay to have worries, it is okay to wonder how this would we be done,” he indicated.

He urged “we must channel this apprehension and worries towards answering the question, what does it take, what should be the indication of the good time, what would be the best way to protect, teachers, non-teachers, students if we are to open up at some point?”

“Government believes that we as a nation we can do may things that we put our mind to. We invite the nation to engage in this conversation,” he ended.

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