Greater Accra GNAT Backs Leadership

The Greater Accra Regional Council of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has thrown its weight behind the national leadership of the association, describing it as highly competent.

The Regional GNAT which declared its fullest support for the national executive said “the membership of the Regional Council of GNAT in the Greater Accra Region has confidence in the leadership of the association and shall continue to support them.”

“Our strength lies in the satisfaction that our members have in the continued existence of the organisation and will always work diligently and faithfully to enjoy the confidence of our members,” the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of GNAT, Mrs Mary Amankwah, said at a news conference in Accra.

She said there were various avenues in the organisation at all levels for every teacher who was a member to influence the decision-making process and to participate fully in all the activities of the organisation.

The declaration by the Greater Accra Regional GNAT comes against the background of calls by some concerned teachers for the resignation of the national leadership of the association following the outcome of the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure for GES workers.

Mrs Amankwah said, the leadership of the association was prepared to listen and respond to genuine and constructive criticisms from GNAT members using orthodox means and conventions, as well as the constitution, to improve existing structures and operations.

She said the national leadership was not satisfied with the levels of salaries teachers were receiving now and that it was determined to dialogue with the authorities and use all the available legal means and industrial relations practices to continue to seek improvements in the living and working conditions of GNAT members.

“GNAT is widely known in and outside Ghana as one of the best organised, reputable and sober teachers organisations in the world. Our modest achievements in the areas of professional development of our members, terms of conditions of teachers, promotion of public education, establishment of teachers fund, building of teachers hostels in all regional capitals...are clear testimonies of what GNAT stands for,” she said.

Mrs Amankwa said none of the issues, such as gross incompetence in negotiating on the part of national leadership, raised by the concerned teachers could stand strict scrutiny since the national leadership had done enough for the association.