3 pre-tertiary teacher unions in the Upper East Region have issued a 7-day ultimatum to government to address their concerns.
At a joint press conference on Monday, May 6, 2024 in the regional capital Bolgatanga, the regional chapters of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT-Gh) said government has up to May 13, 2024 to implement agreed-upon allowances and promises or face their wrath.
“The teacher, perhaps more than anybody else, shapes and determines the outcomes of the learning processes, and ensures, in effect, the success of the educational system,” the Regional Secretary of GNAT noted, emphasizing the crucial role teachers play in achieving Ghana’s educational objectives.
Despite this, the Unions said the government has consistently neglected to honour its commitments, leading to widespread despondency and disaffection among teachers.
“We have had to hang on the thin line, with our members complaining bitterly. These complaints have become worse, especially as our members are reeling under the utter hardship imposed on us all by the current economic conditions in the country,” the Secretary added.
The unions have reduced their demands to four key allowances: Deprived Area Allowance, Extra Assessment Allowance, Book/Data/Online Teaching Support Allowance, and an upward adjustment of the CPD Allowance.
However, the government remains unresponsive, prompting the unions to issue an ultimatum.
“We wish to stress that we have had enough of the nonchalance, complacency, and aloofness of the Employer, and would thus not countenance this situation any longer,” the Secretary warned.
The unions are calling on the government to address their concerns by May 13, 2024. Failure to do so will lead to unspecified action, which the unions urge stakeholders to support.
