Teachers in Agona District embark on sit down strike

Agona Swedru (C/R), Sept 30, GNA - Teachers in the Agona District on Thursday undertook a three-hour protest march in Agona Swedru to register their disappointment at ''the government's attitude, behaviour and inconsistency'' on issues affecting teachers.

The demonstrators carried placards some of which read, "NPP is a killer of teachers," ''NPP, teachers helped you in and they would help you out", ''No signed agreement, no school.''

They ended the demonstration at the District Assembly Offices where they read their petition and later handed over a copy to the District Co-coordinating Director, Mr Guy Siilo.

The teachers stated in their petition that if the government's call for quality education in Ghana should remain a major priority then their demands should be given urgent attention. ''When teachers asked for 30 percent adjustment in salary, policy makers consider that as unreasonable and unrealistic because such a request would put the economy off balance".

"Yet when a section of works threatened industrial action or exodus they are granted 40 percent increase."

Mr. Samuel Obodai, the Member of Parliament for Agona West, appealed to the teachers to go back to the classroom and allow their leaders to continue negotiations with the government. Mr Thomas Baafi, Central Regional GNAT Secretary, and Mr Kwesi Adu, Agona District GNAT Secretary, later addressed the teachers at the forecourt of the Ghana Education Service Offices.

They appealed to teachers to rescind their decision and allow their leaders to continue to negotiate with the government but the teachers shouted "no we are not going back to the school until our demands are met".