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17.07.2003 General News

NAGRAT threatens to take GNAT to court over deductions

17.07.2003 LISTEN
By GNA

Sunyani July 17, GNA- The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has threatened to take legal action against the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) for "unlawful deductions of dues and mutual fund from members' salaries."

Mr Kwame Edjah, National Vice President, said this at the Brong Ahafo Regional congress NAGRAT. The theme was: "Reversing the downward trend of education in Brong Ahafo Region."

''NAGRAT can no longer be patient for our rights to be trampled upon and it is high time we sought for an injunction to be put on the deductions."

He said the association had, since its establishment in 1998, had three meetings with the GNAT and demanded that the deductions should cease. ''If all efforts to seek the welfare of members have proved futile the association has no other option than to seek redress at the appropriate quarters,'' Mr Edjah added.

He alleged that GNAT's action was meant to discourage graduates teachers from joining NAGRAT "and kill the interest of members but we will not allow ourselves to be cheated."

Mr Edjah called for better conditions of service for teachers to attract the youth into the profession.

Mr Samuel Ankama Obuor, acting Secretary of Sunyani Polytechnic branch of NAGRAT, expressed concern about the falling standard of education in the region and said efforts should be made to ensure that children acquired knowledge, values and attitudes.

He said this had contributed to the inadequate health personnel in hospitals as well as the shortage of professionals, especially women for higher positions in the various departments in the region.

Mr Obuor appealed to the regional administration to take steps to establish the Regional Educational Fund proposed in 1999 and called on traditional councils, District Educational Oversight Committees (DEOC) and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to mobilize funds for rehabilitation of schools.

He urged members to find ways of addressing and improving infrastructure in educational institutions and educate parents about the importance and benefits of education.

A seven-member new regional executive of NAGRAT was sworn into office for two years with Mr Raphael Owusu of Saint Joseph's Training College as the new regional chairman.

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