STATEMENT: I've Not Made Any Recent Comment On Educational Policies - Otabil

Our attention has been drawn to a series of publications and a tape, which has been widely circulated as Pastor Mensa Otabil�s reaction to the ongoing debate about education. We wish to submit the following: Pastor Otabil has not made any recent comment on the current debate on various educational policy alternatives. Neither has he expressed open support for any party�s position on the matter. The tape being circulated is a collection of thoughts edited from a message shared by Pastor Otabil several years ago and pieced together to create the impression that he is taking a stand on the current political debate on the issue of education. Pastor Otabil agrees with the constitutional provision that every Ghanaian child is entitled to and the state must provide Free Compulsory Basic Education beginning from preschool to the Senior High School level. However each parent must take responsibility for the academic growth and quality of education that their child receives. Pastor Otabil hopes that all Ghanaians will be challenged to focus on the financial empowerment of the average citizen as a long-term solution to the pro-poor policies being espoused by the various stakeholders in sectors like education, health and housing�� ....signed... Rev. Kofi Okyere Senior Associate Minister, ICGC