A tense exchange unfolded in Parliament recently as Speaker Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas issued a stern rebuke to the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Mr. Conrad Sackey, citing a failure to rein in internal mismanagement and protect the integrity of the education sector.

Summoned under section 107 of the Constitution, Minister Sackey appeared before Parliament to answer questions regarding allegations of administrative irregularities and misconduct within his Ministry. Speaker Thomas did not mince his words as he highlighted alarming revelations involving second-year students, rogue school administrations, and questionable conduct by ministry’s insiders.

“You see, the second-year kids are also involved in all of this,” the Speaker declared, noting that “so many of them in your ministry have schools.’ They are the ones who upgrade these schools. They are the ones creating the problems.”

In a deeply personal and reflective tone, the Speaker acknowledged his own background as a teacher, noting that the challenges are not new-but have worsened due to a lack of firm leadership. “I know this. I was a teacher myself. Teachers are even conducting admissions without the knowledge of principals or the Ministry.”

He urged Minister Sackey to rise to the occasion and take full control of the Ministry. “We are not in this job to make friends. Sometimes, the very people who come close to you are the ones quietly undermining your leadership,” he added.

The Speaker’s comments have reignited national debate over education sector governance and the internal accountability of public institutions. He concluded the session by assuring Minister Sackey the opportunity to formally respond to the issues raised in due course.

This summons follows increasing calls from civil society and education stakeholders for transparency, oversight, and reform within the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education.