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.

Source: Graphiconline.com 

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 1^st December 2021.

Congratulation!

The National Council of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, GNAT, having convened at the GNAT Village, Abankro near Ejisu, Ashanti Region, between 6th and 14th November, 2021, and having deliberated on all the issues tabled before it exhaustively, hereby issues this Communique:

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Ghanaian teachers have been commended for putting their lives on the line in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that our future leaders are not denied quality education.
“Although the pandemic is causing a lot of discomfort, yet the teacher adopt a holistic approach characterized by respect for individual students and their unique experiences in order to achieve the much - needed human-centered recovery we are all craving for”.
The National President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Ms. Philippe Larsen who delivered a message on behalf of Unions in the Pre-Tertiary Education sector, said this at the commemoration of 2021 Ghana Teacher Prize held at the Eusbeth International Conference Centre, in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital.
She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had become a major global challenge with unprecedented effects which led to enormous pressure on teachers, yet teachers adopted innovative ways of plying their trade to ensure that their clients stayed on course.
Turning to the theme of this year’s Ghana Teacher Prize, “Teachers wanted: Reclaiming Teaching and Learning for human - centered recovery”, she wondered what happened to teaching and learning that had warranted its recovery, putting the cause at the doorstep of the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms. Philippe Larsen, however, commended Government for the bold and pragmatic measures it put in place to contain the spread of the virus with the aim of overcoming it to allow the citizenry to move on with their normal lives.
On the concerns of the Unions in the Pre-Tertiary Education sector, she referred the large gathering at the center to the Union’s press statement issued on August 10 which catalogued their various pressing issues and called on the Ghana Education Service (G.E.S) to co-operate with them to ensure the speedy resolution of the issues to avert any industrial action .
Mr. Ebenezer Kojo Otto, of the Winneba Senior High School in the Central Region was adjudged Ghana’s most outstanding teacher and had for his prize, a three - bedroom house and assorted items. The first runner -up was Rev. Sr. Jusinta Kwakyewaa of the St. Francis Senior High Technical School in the Eastern Region, while the second runner - up position went to Mr. Nelson Saviour Kwashie of the Awutu Swindon Senior High School in the Central Region. For their prizes, they had a 4x4 pick-up and a saloon car respectively.

The leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, GNAT, on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace.
The GNAT leadership which was led by the National President, Ms. Philippa Larsen, visited the palace to officially invite the Asantehene as the Guest of Honour to the National Delegates Conference scheduled to take place in January next year at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

The spokesperson of the delegation, Mr. Prosper Tachie, who is also the Ashanti Regional Chairman of GNAT informed the gathering that the GNAT is ninety (90) years old and the 90th anniversary has coincided with its National Delegates Conference which is organized quadrennially. Mr. Tachie also used the opportunity to thank the Asantehene for renewing the lease of the Ashanti Regional Secretariat land as well as releasing land for the construction of the GNAT Village at Ejisu, Abankro.

In his remarks, the Asantehene commended the General Secretary and the National President of the GNAT for the good work they have been doing for teachers as he has been reading and following their activities in the media. He was also full of praise for teachers regarding their service to God and country. He further stated that he disagrees with the assertion that the teachers’ reward is in heaven as their role is very important and he can name all the teachers who taught him from kindergarten to the highest level in recognition of the roles they have played in his life.

Concluding his remarks, the Asantehene said “I want to congratulate your General Secretary and the National President for their service to teachers. I have been following their exploits in the media. Indeed, I always read the articles published by the General Secretary in the dailies and I must commend them. I will always attend any program organized by teachers when I am invited”.
The delegation commended the hospitality extended to them upon the visit and in turn presented assorted drinks as a sign of their gratitude to the King and the people of the Ashanti Kingdom.