The Greater Accra Regional leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) have called on President John Mahama to urgently intervene in the ongoing teachers' strike. The strike, which has been ongoing, was triggered by concerns that have remained unresolved despite engagements with government and other relevant institutions. The unions have rejected calls to suspend the strike, citing previous unfulfilled assurances.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of NAGRAT, Henry Teitey Tetteh-Afi, emphasized that the issues have been outstanding for too long and urged President Mahama to personally oversee the process to ensure the concerns are resolved. He outlined specific expectations from the President, including the payment of salaries for promoted teachers and a practical roadmap for concluding the collective agreement started last year.
Tetteh-Afi also called for a roadmap for implementing the 20 percent deprived area allowance, which has been agreed upon for years but remains unimplemented. He warned that anything short of these demands would mean the strike would continue, with teachers refusing to return to the classroom. The unions are pressing for immediate action from the government to address their concerns.
The Greater Accra Regional Secretary of GNAT, Cosmos Ennu Kwaw, reaffirmed the region's support for the national leadership and its decision to continue the industrial action. He cautioned headteachers and school authorities against compelling teachers to return to the classroom while the strike remains in force. Kwaw urged teachers to stay away from work, citing the need for the government to address their concerns.
Kwaw also appealed to parents to keep their children at home until further notice, acknowledging the impact of the strike on them. He urged parents to impress upon the government and other stakeholders to address the teacher unions' concerns, allowing them to return to work. The unions are seeking a clear resolution to their demands.
President Mahama is scheduled to meet with the teacher unions to discuss their demands and implications for the national compensation budget. The Greater Accra Regional unions expect a clear resolution from the engagement. The meeting is seen as crucial in determining the next steps in the ongoing strike.
The strike has significant implications for Ghana's education sector, with thousands of teachers affected. The unions' demands center on improving working conditions and addressing concerns over promotions, salaries, and allowances. A resolution to the strike is awaited by students, parents, and the education sector as a whole.
Key points
- The Ghanaian teacher unions are pressing for a 20 percent deprived area allowance and implementation of a collective agreement started last year.
- President John Mahama is set to meet with the teacher unions to discuss their demands.
- The strike has been ongoing due to unresolved concerns over promotions, salaries, and working conditions.
