BY: DANIEL OTU ASANTE
01-10-2024
The Ghana National Association of Teachers has embarked on its planned demonstration today, October 1, 2024, despite extensive discussions with the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.
After several hours of negotiations a day before, teachers across the country chose to continue their protest, expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome of the meeting and insisting on their demands being met.
The meeting, which was aimed at averting the demonstration, lasted for hours late into the night. Dr. Adutwum and representatives of the Ministry of Education engaged the leadership of GNAT in an attempt to address concerns over working conditions, salaries, and other key grievances raised by the teachers.
GNAT, however, indicated that the ministry’s responses did not sufficiently address the challenges they face, particularly the issues of delayed salary adjustments, poor infrastructure in schools, inadequate teaching materials, and the need for improved welfare packages. A key point of contention remains the teachers’ demand for the full implementation of a comprehensive salary structure that has been long overdue.
In the absence of the education minister and his deputies, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng, received the petition on behalf of the Ministry.
Speaking during the demonstration, the Greater Regional Secretary of GNAT, Peter Boateng emphasized that teachers are frustrated over the government’s delays and lack of action.
“Our teachers are overburdened, and the promises made by the Ministry have not been fulfilled. We cannot continue to work under these conditions,” he stated, calling on the government to expedite efforts in resolving these issues.
Some aggrieved teachers also shared their frustrations with Pan African news.
“We are not being treated fairly, even when vying for leadership positions. We must belong to the party in power to be able to attain some senior position,” they said.
The outcome of the protest and whether it will lead to further dialogue between the two parties remains to be seen. However, the teachers’ determination to push for better working conditions is clear as they continue to demand action from the government.