Teacher Trainees’ Association Of Ghana (TTAG) On Some Issues Of Serious Concern To Teacher Trainees In The Country

It would be recalled that on May 18, 2015, the Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG) embarked on a nationwide strike in our quest to among other things:

1. Draw the attention of government, stakeholders and for that matter the good people of Ghana on the adverse effects of the unpopular scrapping of teacher trainees' allowance and a request for its immediate reinstatement.

2. To call on government to as a matter of urgency, come clear on issues relating to the posting of the current level 200 teacher trainees and subsequent batches in view of media reports of possible job insecurity in the immanence.

It is worth making the point that the strike action received an overwhelming adherence from our constituents across the country; who indeed boycotted classes and in fact, refused to report to school after reopening.

However, the leadership of TTAG decided to call off the strike action within the first four days of its enforcement following several appeals and positive assurances received from various stakeholders. Below are some of the other reasons why TTAG rescinded its decision to continue with the strike action:

a) Government, through the Ministry of Education served a strong notice of its willingness to further engage the leadership of TTAG on the matter with the view to arriving at some amicable settlement to the impasse

b) The National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) in a separate development, had also promised to organize an emergency meeting involving all the stakeholder associations to seek appropriate redress to our problems.

c) Also, the various teacher organizations in the country including the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT) have also expressed interest and readiness in helping us with the negotiations once the processes are activated.

It is in cognizance of these positive tend of events; coupled with the explicit provisions in the Labour Act 2003, Act 161(1) which states that “a party to an industrial dispute shall not resort to strike or lock – out during the period when negotiation, mediation or arbitration proceedings are in progress” which has compelled us to TEMPORARILY suspend our strike action on the 23rd of May, 2015.

To our utmost disgust and astonishments however, all efforts we have put in place to hold the necessary meetings with government and the relevant authorities especially the National Council for Tertiary Education as agreed upon have proved nothing but futile. In fact, they continue to dribble us as if we are kids. We think that government in this matter, has only but demonstrated bad faith and also betrayed our trust and confidence. Not even the attempts by our Mother Union, NUGS would make the Ministry and NCTE agree to come to the negotiation table with us so we could have some amicable resolutions.

The leadership of TTAG again wishes to use this opportunity to vehemently debunk wild allegations that we may have been comprised by government officials in the process of this struggle hence the reason for our inactions. It is very unfortunate, disdainful, mischievous fabrications, mendacious antiques orchestrated by our detractors who wish to defame our hard-won reputation as well as the Association for their selfish parochial interests. The facts as per the above narrative, do not support such unwarranted allegations by any stretch of imagination.

In fact, the students who are behind this mischief have been summoned by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Association to substantiate their allegations but they couldn't provide even a scintilla of evidence to prove their wild claims. They had since retracted and apologized with the necessary remorse for their irresponsibility, recklessness and gross indiscipline; which is certainly a drawback to the various strides we have made as an Association over the years.

TTAG believes that this innocuous battle is not over and cannot be over until victory is secured. In the light of this unwavering conviction, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Association had unanimously resolved to organize an extraordinary emergency congress which would also involve the various SRC Presidents of all member institutions to consider our options moving forward. Of course, the options also include legal redress and the staging of a mammoth nationwide demonstration that would shake the very foundation of our nation and government. We have also petitioned a number of organizations to assist us in this struggle.

We wish to conclude by once again assuring all teacher trainees across the country that their union, TTAG shall do everything humanly possible in defending their fundamental educational rights and freedoms as underpinned in our national constitution for love of God and country. Finally, we wish all the very best of luck in the forthcoming end of terminal exams.

Aluta Continua! Victoria Ascerta!
Thank you.
Signed
Abubakari Abdul Moomin
General Secretary-TTAG
(0248888943/0208380043)
Osei Kofi Daniel
National President-TTAG
(0249422452/0206686636)