The Central Region Council of the Ghana National Association of teachers (GNAT),on Wednesday pledged support for national leadership of the Association.
The group asked the leadership not to be distracted by agitations by “some few disgruntled” members of the Association but to remain focused on seeking the well-being of
teachers in the country.
At a press conference in Cape Coast, the Regional Council of GNAT said allegations by a group calling itself Concerned Members of GNAT against GNAT were unfounded.
Reverend Paa Solo Grant Essilfie, Regional Chairman of GNAT, said the current spate of demonstrations by the concerned teachers was unfounded and the allegations against GNAT were speculative, misconceived and borne out of
ignorance.
The concerned teachers accused GNAT leadership of gross incompetence in negotiating for better conditions of service for teachers regarding the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure.
They said some of the leadership were not teachers hence their insensitivity to the plight of teachers and criticized the amount of money being deducted from salaries of teachers.
The concerned teachers alleged that proceeds from GNAT investment were enveloped in secrecy and demanded that all the GNAT national leaders should resign.
This notwithstanding, the Regional Council stressed that the structure of GNAT was very formidable and few individuals could not shake its foundations.
It wondered why a group will “avow to work assiduously to dissolve the association, which is the envy of many unions nationally and internationally” due to its responsible unionism,
initiative and fortitude.
Concerning the leadership of GNAT, Rev. Essilfie explained that it has two hierarchical structures, namely ‘the political’ with elected members being classroom teachers or education
administrators and ‘the administrative’ leadership made up of teachers and education administrators, appointed to serve the Association on full-time basis to avoid interference in their activities.
He said GNAT has done a lot to improve the welfare of teachers, citing the stopping of the scrapping of study leave with pay which 3,000 teachers were currently enjoying annually,
streamlining of promotions in the Ghana Education Service.
Rev. Essilfie said GNAT has accounted for all monies and that the finance committees and the executives reports on GNAT finances to the GNAT Council annually to be presented to its
delegates’ conference every four years.
He said that GNAT has been able to negotiate for between 20 per cent and 30 per cent salary increment for.
Rev. Essilfie said the branch saw no merit in the accusations of the so called Concerned Teachers of GNAT and NAGRAT and called on true members of the GNAT who have grievances to seek audience with the leadership for redress.