Police hunt for GNAT official

The Atwima Nwabiagya District Police have mounted a search for the district secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr Badu Kodua, for allegedly embezzling an unspecified amount of money belonging to some teachers in the area.

The monies were said to be loans to GNAT national office granted some teachers but which fund their way into the pocket of the fugitive district GNAT boss.

Sources close to the GNAT said all attempts by the police to locate him since he deserted office about two months ago had proved futile.
One of the affected female teachers told the Daily Graphic that the GNAT requested interested members to apply for loans. The teacher, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that Kodua told her to exercise patience, since the loan would surely be granted.

She said Kodua had been playing the “go and come” tricks on her at his office at Nkawie anytime she inquired of her loan. She said upon a tip-off given her, she only realized that Kodua had cashed the money from the bank and kept it.

Another victim also told this paper that he applied for a loan of FGH¢500.00 but was not given the full amount. He alleged that his regular visits to the secretary's office and other efforts to have his loan had all proved futile.

The new District GNAT Secretary, Mr George Gyimah, who has been posted to the district from Tepa for barely a month now, confirmed the allegation but could not give details.

Mr. Abraham K. Bonsu, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of GNAT, also confirmed the allegation and stated that it happened at the time Mr Kodua was about to retire. He explained that GNAT national office commissioned auditors to look into the books at the district office.

Mr Bonsu said he had no power to disclose the amount the suspect allegedly embezzled and indicated that that could only be done by the GNAT National Office.