Teachers strike: GNAT questions credibility of education minister

The Bono Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr. Eric Adongo, says the Education Minister lacks the credibility to resolve their grievances after failing to fulfill his promise to teachers.
According to him, the Minister gave them assurance to call off their strike and promised to authorize the Controller and Accountant-General to pay them, but that directive did not work. He said it is now clear the matter is beyond the Minister and requires the intervention of the President.

Speaking on Sompa FM’s “Ade Akye Abia” show with Ama Konadu in Sunyani, Mr. Adongo recounted that when teachers threatened to go on strike in August, the Minister told them the increment would reflect in their September salary, but it came without it.

He added that the Controller and Accountant-General has issued a statement insisting on following the right channel, an indication that they are not complying with the Minister’s instructions.

On the impact of the strike, Mr. Adongo said schools are still open for students. He explained that while older students can go and study on their own, younger pupils without guidance are at risk, as anything can happen.

He stressed that schools are public institutions so students are allowed to go, but since teachers are on strike and heads of schools cannot guarantee the safety of students, they have the right to lock up the schools and ask the children to return home.

Sompaonline.com/Stella Kyere