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.”

By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana

By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA

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.

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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