The National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the One Teacher One Laptop initiative. Speaking at the 6th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in Kumasi on Tuesday, January 4, the National President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mrs Philippa Larsen, said “Your excellency, I wish to commend you and your government for supplying customized laptops to teachers.
The 16th Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has urged teachers to end embarking on industrial action in a bid for the central government to address their concerns as the strike affects pupils directly and not the politicians at large.
He in his address at the 6th quadrennial national delegates conference of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) held in Greater Kumasi said students most at times face the consequences of the strike actions by teachers.
His Royal Majesty expressing worry about the unfortunate incident that has been going on for decades called on the central government to put in place measures to meet the demand of teachers to avoid industrial actions.
“Those who really suffer are the innocent children. I urge you all to have an improved way for negotiations that will minimize, if not eliminate, any recourse to industrial action and the harmful consequences on our children.
“While we will always urge moderation in the face of the national economic realities, we will urge policymakers to ensure that the status of our teachers truly reflect the level of importance we attach to their place in society,” he added.
In a related development, the Minister for Education and Bosomtwe Member of Parliament Dr Yaw Adutwum has said the Ministry of Finance is working to release funds for payment of Colleges of Education teachers unpaid allowance
His comment comes after the teachers in a statement copied to EducationWeb.com.gh announced its intention to withdraw its services across all the 46 public Colleges of Education effective 6th January 2022, over unpaid arrears.
The College teachers said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government on September 24, 2021, over the allowance but unfortunately, the stipends for October and November 2021 are yet to be paid.
“CETAG members are anxiously and patiently waiting for full payments of the agreed allowances (January 2021 to December 2021) at the end of December 2021 without which the Association shall activate its intended strike action
We, therefore, serve notice that CETAG members across all the 46 CoE have resolved to embark on an indefinite strike effective January 6, 2022, if the said payments are not made in full at the end of December 2021,” it said on Monday.
But, the Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum speaking on Accra-based Peace FM’s Kokrokoo show monitored by EducationWeb said the Ministry of Finance (MoF) is currently processing the payment of the unpaid allowance.
“The allowance will be paid in due course, we have signed and submitted a letter to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to process the payment, so we will urge the leadership of CETAG to exercise patience,” Mr Osei Adutwum said.
The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has urged the government to work to improve on the condition of teachers in the country.
He said the status of teachers should truly reflect the level of importance attached to their positions in the society.
The Asantehene said these when he was addressing members of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) at their 6th Quadrennial National Delegates conference.
“While we will always urge moderation in the face of the national economic realities, we will nonetheless, urge policy makers to ensure that the status of our teachers truly reflect the level of importance we attach to their place in society,” he said.
He further cautioned teachers against the use of strike fas negotaion tool.
He tasked them to adopt an improved way of negotiation rather than strike.
The Asantehene explained that, school children are the ones who face the consequences of such actions and not politicians.
But the Asantehene said “Obviously, those who really suffer are the innocent children. I urge you all to focus your minds on the need for an improved way for negotiations and consultations which will minimize, if not eliminate, any recourse to industrial action and the harmful consequences on our children.”
Kumasi, Jan. 03, GNA - The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II, has touted teachers as holders of the key to national development and indispensable in the country's quest for quality education.
"If education is the key then you our teachers hold the key to our development and prosperity," he told members of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) at its Sixth Quadrennial National Delegates Conference in Kumasi.
Delegates from all the 16 regions are attending the week-long conference, which is being held on the theme, "GNAT@90: Surviving as a Reliable and Vibrant Teacher Union in the 21st century."
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to address the Conference at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on Tuesday, January 4.
It would be climaxed with the election of national officers to lead the Association for the next four years.
"By your tutelage we are able to shape our communities and nations. There can be no science, technology and inventions without a teacher," the Asantehene said.
He said teachers were the primary source of human progress and deserved to be held in high esteem for the essential services they continued to provide.
The implementation of the Free Senior High School Policy, he noted, was a landmark in Ghana's education system.
Much as the initiators deserved commendation for the bold step, the sacrifices and commitment of teachers towards its implementation could not be overemphasized, he said.
Otumfuo Osei-Tutu challenged the teachers to use the opportunity to confront challenges facing their work and chart a new course with focus on creativity and innovation.
"As we seek the best from our teachers, so must our teachers be made to feel truly valued," he said.
"It does get truly disconcerted when industrial relations break down and teachers abandon their classrooms and lecture halls, which obviously affects students."
He said he was pleased that officials from the Education as well as the Employment and Labour Relations ministries would participate in the Conference and called on all parties to focus on improved formula of negotiations and consultations to minimise industrial actions.
The Reverend Prof. Emmanuel Adow Obeng, the President of the Presbyterian University College, who delivered the keynote address, eulogised GNAT for becoming a formidable teacher union after years of struggle.
He said the Association had made significant impact in protecting the interest and welfare of the Ghanaian teacher and also contributed to the socio-economic development of Ghana.
He said the country's current educational system has turned Ghana into a vast expanding market of consumers of other people's creation and not her own.Comparing Ghana with Asia, the Asante King said while the former was producing lettered illiterate, the latter has used it's education to produce scientists and mathematicians among others to control the economy of the world.
GNAT conference
The Asantehene was addressing the 6th quadrennial (53rd) national delegates conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in Kumasi on Monday, January 3.
The conference also marks the 90th anniversary celebration of the union. It was on the theme: "Surviving as a reliable teacher union in the 21st century.
Addressing the conference, the Asantehene questioned why as a nation, Ghana was still struggling to find solutions to its environmental challenges while other societies were zooming into space.He said in a new digital age it was time for Ghana to compete favourably for economic superiority with the rest of the world.
Teachers
While admitting that education was the key to development and prosperity for individuals and nations, Otumfuo said teachers hold the key to actualising that vision.
To him the primary source of human progress were teachers "who deserve to be held in highest esteem."
"There can be no science, technology, Innovation, and even politicians without the teacher," calling for recognition and respect for them.
He indicated that by their tutelage, teachers have shaped individuals into transforming their communities and nations.
Different approach to demand
On his part, the President of the Presbyterian University, Rev Prof. Emmanuel Adow Obeng, said the era of confrontational approaches to making demands from government has lost its appeal and can no longer be used as a negotiation tool.
He said anytime there was a standoff between teacher unions and the state, it hurts the citizens, urging the union to shift their approach knowledge-based negotiation and dialogue.
Rev. Prof. Obeng expressed dissatisfaction of some members dabbling in politics which eventually influence their demands.
According to him, each time there appears to be a standoff it is perceived to sabotage government business and favours the opposition.
Meanwhile, presenting a whole document seen as a blueprint to reforming the union, the professor called for the establishment of a GNAT institute to focus on research to improve education and make their voices heard.
He said such an institute would also help train members on the new digitalised world and make their views the most sought after in any policy decision making.
The largest Pre-Tertiary Teacher Union in Ghana appoints a new Deputy General Secretary in charge of Education and Professional Development division by its National Council.
Mr. Dagbandow Kwame prior to his appointment was Head, Membership Education and Youth Desk Department at th GNAT Headquarters. The Professional Teacher was employed by the Ghana Education service in 1995 and taught in the following schools La-atari L/A Primary, Nalerigu L/A J.S.S, Mim Model Basic School a d Kintampo SHS. He also served the association in several other capacities like Regional GNAT Secretary and District Secretary.
The father of four (4) children is an alumnus of the University of Cape Coast with Master of Arts (Human Resource Management). He holds a Bachelor of Education (Social Studies) from the University of Education, Winneba, St. John Bosco’s Teacher Training College, Navrongo (Cert ‘A’ 3 Yr Post Secondary) and Nalerigu Secondary School (GCE ‘O’ Level).
Vacancy was created after Mad. Gifty Apanbil served on the same position for over four (4) years and retired successfully in May 2021. Mr. Dagbandow Kwame’s appointment as the Deputy General Secretary, Education and Professional Development division takes effect from 1st December 2021.
