The Greater Accra leadership of three major teacher unions in Ghana - the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) - have expressed their support for the ongoing nationwide strike by pre-tertiary teachers. The strike, which began a week ago, is over three key demands that the unions say remain unresolved despite earlier government commitments.
According to Greater Accra Regional Chairman of NAGRAT, Henry Teitey Tetteh-Afi, out of about 80,000 promoted teachers, only a little over 6,000 had so far been placed on their new salary levels. This is despite an agreement reached on August 31 between the unions and relevant government agencies to complete the placement process by the end of September. The unions are also demanding the conclusion of negotiations for a new Collective Agreement and the implementation of the 20% Deprived Area Allowance for teachers working in deprived and hard-to-reach areas.
The Greater Accra leadership of the teacher unions addressed a press conference at the NAGRAT Hall in Nungua, where they reiterated their support for the national leadership's decision to embark on the strike action. Mr Tettey-Afi said the strike would continue until the government takes steps to address the concerns raised by the unions. He added that the unions were not demanding that all outstanding issues be resolved immediately but wants the government to demonstrate concrete progress towards addressing them.
The unions have appealed to parents to keep their children at home for as long as the strike remains in force. Mr Tettey-Afi said they want to see steps that are being taken that will ensure that these things are implemented within the shortest possible time. The strike action has been a source of concern for parents and students, with many calling for a swift resolution to the impasse.
The Education Minister has announced that 51,000 teachers' promotion arrears will be validated for October payment. However, the teacher unions say this does not address their key demands. The unions have been pressing for a new Collective Agreement, the implementation of the 20% Deprived Area Allowance, and the placement of promoted teachers on their new salary levels.
The strike action has gained support from various quarters, with some Ghanaians expressing solidarity with the teacher unions. The unions have been accused of being insensitive to the plight of students, but they argue that they have no choice but to take drastic action to get the government's attention. The government has been urged to take the concerns of the teacher unions seriously and work towards a resolution.
As the strike continues, the teacher unions have urged their members to remain resolute and to continue to stay away from the classrooms until their demands are met. The government has been given a few options but it seems that a swift resolution to the impasse may not be forthcoming. The situation remains tense, with many stakeholders calling for a resolution to the strike action.
Key points
- The Greater Accra teacher unions have backed the nationwide strike action by pre-tertiary teachers over three key demands.
- The unions are demanding urgent action from government on three key issues: placing promoted teachers on their new salary levels, concluding negotiations for a new Collective Agreement, and implementing the 20% Deprived Area Allowance.
- The strike action has been a source of concern for parents and students, with many calling for a swift resolution to the impasse.
