Open Letter To Leadership Of The Teacher Unions

Warm regards! There are a few things bothering my mind (and welfare) as a Professional Teacher, which I would like to draw your attention to, for redress.

Paramount of my concerns, is my Salary Arrears, and that of my numerous comrades who are suffering this fate.

With thirty-eight(38) public Colleges of Education, and an annual average of two-hundred diploma graduates or trained teachers per College , we should be looking at a figure of not less than seven thousand, six-hundred(7,600) fresh teachers.

Multiplying this figure by two(2), puts us in the range of fifteen thousand, two-hundred (15,200), still on the average.

Two year groups, the 2013 and 2014 batch of teachers have been posted to teach, and are doing so for the past two years. But we are told that there is a three-month only arrears payment policy, for government of Ghana employees. The remainder arrears can only be paid, after auditing to ascertain the veracity of these arrears claims.

We have followed due process, to fill out forms pertaining to these arrears at our respective District Education Directorates (IPPD Departments).

As of now, nothing has been done to pay the 2013 year group, much less the 2014 year group!

Alas, the 2015 year group would soon join the fray, to demand for their due, in no time. I can only imagine the needless pressure being mounted on the concerned Government agencies and Departments responsible for attending to these 15,200 teachers.

Oh I have just been told the number may escalate to more than twenty-two thousand, eight-hundred (22,800), should we begin considering the pending 2015 year group.

Some of my colleagues have told me not to bother writing to you, because you don't care a hoot about the plight of budding professionals. They say your only concern is for pensions and such related issues.

I told them you would prove them wrong. That you would not despise "small boys and girls" in the teaching fraternity and would rather use your good offices to fight for our cause.

Could I be wrong? Could they be right?

Your actions (or inactions) on this matter, would give me a better perspective of the degree of care and concern you have for my "comrades in hardship" and I.

We would not abandon post, at least not yet. We would remain steadfast and resolute. We would continue to teach on almost empty bank accounts for now, as GoG continues to owe us over nine (9) months salary arrears (and even more than that in some cases)

We would remain confident in your leadership, as there is no need to wear the hat on the knee, in the presence of the head.

Please ensure they pay us our arrears. I hope we have not asked for too much.

Best regards from myself and mine 15,200 other Comrades in hardship. (Not forgetting the potential 7,600 plus, from the 2015 group).

Signed

Selasi Komla Adjor

[email protected]

Cc:

GNAT

NAGRAT

CCT

TEWU

TUC

Whom It May Concern.