Gomoa GNAT-LAS appeal for financial support to build capacity for its membership

The Gomoa District branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers- Ladies Society is popularly known as GNAT-LAS has appealed to GNAT, its mother organization for financial support to build capacity for its membership and to be more vibrant.

The District Coordinator of GNAT-LAS, Madam Abena Kwakyewaa Linda who made the passionate appeal said the society intends to give skills training for its members as they carry out their professional duties as teachers.

" Female teachers serve as mothers, councilors, role models, special advisors, career builders, talent hunters to shape the skills and knowledge of their students.

They therefore ought to be well equipped with vast knowledge and experience to impart those skills positively to the children they teach in their classroom.

Gomoa District branch of GNAT-LAS has put in place several programmes and activities aimed at ensuring the well-being of its membership".

Madam Abena Kwakyewaa Linda stated these at the 3rd Quadrennial District Delegate Roundtable Conference held at Gomoa Ankamu in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region last Thursday.

Under the theme; GNAT-LAS@36: Advancing Female Teacher's Professionalism and Development, Madam Abena Kwakyewaa Linda tasked the leadership of the society to discharge their duties as Professional teachers.

" My aim of becoming a District Coordinator was to ensure that GNAT-LAS becomes vibrant and to increase its membership.

Together with my local officers, we have been to achieve over 70% of said target for Gomoa District GNAT-LAS.

In my second term of office, I would like to establish a strong and vibrant welfare system where we would be Organizing ourselves, attend regular programmes and activities and socialize ourselves through games, cooking competitions and modelling among others.

Due to financial constraints we haven't been able to achieve our get goals and I attribute it to ourr constitution which state we have to rely on GNAT for funds needed for our programmes and initiatives.

That is why am making passionate appeal to GNAT to allocate budget for GNAT-LAS programmes from National to Local levels".

According to Madam Abena Kwakyewaa Linda, the present situation does not fully support GNAT-LAS because most of the District fails to release the needed funds for the Society's programmes and activities on time.

" What we are saying is that if they are releasing monies to District GNAT, they should also release same for the District GNAT-LAS straight from the Headquarters because it is extremely difficult sourcing for sponsorship for our planned activities.

If this is done, we would not be forced to depend on GNAT solely for funds. Many a times GNAT would want to finish its programmes before supporting GNAT-LAS"

The Gomoa District GNAT-LAS Coordinator disclosed that the District has thirteen (13) Locals with One Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty-nine (1,459) membership from One Hundred and Ninety-two (192) schools.

The Gomoa District GNAT chairman, Mr. Samuel Bonney noted that the effectiveness of Women's leadership as far as GNAT was concern strengthen the Association.

Mr. Bonney encouraged female teachers yet to join GNAT-LAS to do so because the society gives it membership skills and knowledge as an added value to their profession as teachers.

" GNAT-LAS has been offering vocational training for the members to earn extra income to supplement their monthly salaries thus cushioning them financially.

That explains why am advocating for every female teacher in the Gomoa District to join GNAT-LAS"

The District Secretary Mr. Emmanuel Ato Arthur disclosed that GNAT-LAS was an important wing of GNAT so the mother Organization intends to project female teachers into leadership positions and to be confident of themselves and also generate economic empowerment to support their families.

" GNAT-LAS exist to improve the work of the female teacher. This is done through series of seminars, workshops and on the job training.

In actual fact, the activities of GNAT-LAS has had a positive impact on the development of education in the Gomoa District and Ghana as a whole.

GNAT-LAS members are performing creditably in their various schools, Communities and even Churches in their localities, therefore raising the image of our educational system in the country"

The National President of GNAT, Madam Philippa Larsen sworn in the newly elected Gomoa District GNAT-LAS Officers.

They were Madam Jacqueline Osei, District Secretary, Madam Rita Dickson, District Treasure, Madam Naomi Ackon, District Basic School Representative, Madam Sandra Adzo Hans, District SHS Representative and Madam Faustina Abban, District Education Office Representative.

Madam Philippa Larsen tasked them to discharge their duties diligently.