NPP Chairman asks Govt to re-open negotiations with POTAG

Mampong-Akuapem, Aug. 31, GNA -- The Eastern regional branch of the NPP has appealed to the government to further open negotiations with the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) to find amicable solution to the impases which had been created by POTAG's demand for increased salaries.

Speaking to newsmen at Mampong-Akuapem on Wednesday, the regional chairman of the party, Nana Adi Ankama, said the closure of the polytechnics and the stoppage of payment of the teachers salaries would not do anybody any good.

Rather, he said, the situation would compound the problems facing education especially at the tertiary level, which was already plagued with problems of accommodation and higher user fees.

He said the Polytechnics, which had been mandated to train middle level personnel to ensure rapid economic development of the country should not be treated with contempt.

According to Nana Adi Ankama, the government should give in to the demands of POTAG and encourage its members to stay and teach,, instead of creating avenues for them to run away from the Polytechnics.

He advised POTAG to continue negotiations with the government to find a lasting solution to the problem which has affected academic work on the various campuses.